Chapter 1

Thea's POV

The last thing I wanted to do right now was to attend a family reunion. Not that I hate my family or anything but I hated how they all asked intrusive questions. Grace, my older sister, insisted on me coming to visit Grandma before I left for Europe.

My sister and I's relationship become more complicated as we got older, mostly due to jealousy. She became a successful lawyer, had a gorgeous husband and two adorable kids.

My parents were always so proud and applauded her almost every day for choosing the 'right' path. Apparently working as a journalist for a well-known American magazine wasn't as impressive as becoming partner.

I was currently in the kitchen, reading one of my Aunts old cook-books to pass time. I shouldn't be here, I should be at home packing my bags and getting an early flight to London. Dammit. Aunt Vicki walked over to where I was, squealing at the sight of me.

Aunt Vicki grabbed my cheeks. "Oh Dorothea, look at you! You've lost so much weight, have you been starving yourself? Doesn't she look skinnier, Mira?"

I hesitate to reply before my mother, who comes up beside her, gives me a warning look. I plaster a fake smile, trying my best to make it look genuine. "I--no. I've just been working out like crazy."

"You look amazing dear," she rubbed my shoulder.

"Thanks, Aunt Vee. I have my 'strict' diet to thank for that," I joked.

Given how my mother looked at me with clear irritation, I could tell that the joke wasn't appropriate for this event. "Anyways, Thea's going to London for work."

"Ooh London, lots of handsome boys out there. Aren't you some sort of philanthropist?"

"Journalist." I corrected.

"Hm? Could you speak up? I can't hear you, dear." She leaned in closer due to her being unable to hear me.

"Journalist, I'm a journalist." I said a little louder, clearly expressing my irritation of being here.

Her happy expression turned into confusion. "Why'd you get into journalism, weren't you planning on going to med school?"

Aunt Vicki had been nagging me since I was about 5 or 6 years old to go to med school and become a doctor. Initially, I was up for the suggestion until I matured, realizing I'd be wasting my 20′s in debt and constant stress.

My mother replied before I could. "She changed majors after her second semester. But now she works for The Boston Globe."

"How boring. I couldn't imagine myself sitting at a desk all day."

Ouch.

"But I can, cause ya-know, it's my job." I shot back, forcing another laugh.

Aunt Vicki shook her head in disappointment. "You know I always thought you'd end up working in a prestigious field like your sister."

Ouch again.

"By the way, how's that boyfriend of yours? He was such a charming guy."

I coldly chuckled. "Yeah, he had this thing of charming other women in my bed too."

Long story short, it didn't end well.

"Thea," my mother scolded. "Sorry Vic, she just has this weird self-deprecating humor."

Aunt Vicki nodded and gave me a sad look. She walked away, finally taking her intrusive questions to someone else. Her house was super crowded now, the funny thing is I don't recognize a lot of people.

My mother awkwardly smiled before fixing my collared blouse. "How are you doing, sweetheart?"

"I'm fine Mom, stop worrying about me."

"Honey--"

"I need a drink."

For the rest of the reunion I stood by the drink table, holding onto my glass of wine. I was in a good enough spot to hear the inside conversations of those around me. If there was one thing that my family was known for, it was gossip.

"Ugh, poor Mira and David."

"I know, at least one of their daughter's is successful. The other probably gonna turn out to be a raging alcoholic," the other Aunt shook her head. "That's like her third glass of the day."

"Right. Her jobs crappy, doesn't have a husband, and looks as skinny as a tree branch."

My fucking relatives, ladies and gentlemen. It took everything in me to not shoot an insult back at them. My parents would've killed me and I'd be damaging their 'reputation'.

I heard the clacking of heels to which belonged to my sister, Grace.

She lets out a chuckle. "I knew I'd find you here. Day drinking is so typical of you."

I scoffed at her light insult. "Don't you have somewhere to be? Chatting up the Aunties by bragging about your 'lavish' lifestyle?"

She ignores my comment, changing subjects. "The kiddos miss you, they're wondering why their Auntie never comes to visit."

"Well they have their braggart mommy to thank for that."

Grace sighed, wiping her forehead. "Does it kill you to not be antagonistic for one fucking event? My god Thea."

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"When do you leave?"

I took another sip of my wine. "Tomorrow morning."

"Do you need any mon--"

"My job pays me pretty fucking well, thank you very much."

She pulled out a white envelop from her own purse. "Just incase things get a little rough..."

If this isn't the biggest fuck you; I don't know what is. My whole family thinks I'm penniless and miserable with a shit job. I quickly take it from her and stuff it in my purse. "Thanks, I guess."

There was a pregnant silence before she spoke up again. "Hey you're not gonna, like, do anything rash on the trip right?"

"Sure," I shrugged my shoulders. The only vice of this trip was extracting information for the magazine. Otherwise, I could tour around the country and see all the pretty sights. I ended up ignoring her for the rest of the reunion, keeping my distance and remaining at the drinking table for refills.

--

The next morning had a bit of a rough start, I woke up late with another hangover and forgot to eat breakfast. The cab had passed by my apartment that morning, forcing me to call my father to ask him drive me to the airport.

Surprisingly, my father agreed. I hadn't talked with him at all during the reunion and it made him felt bad. I think he thought I made some sort of effort to avoid him because of the horrible ridicule I received from him.

It was an hour long ride and we hadn't talked. He had this habit of playing Oldies' music to avoid conversation, I should try that some time.

"Is this the right terminal, honey?"

I look up from my cellphone, checking my flight information. "Yeah. It's the international one."

He parked on the curb stop as tons of others did so too, it was one of the busiest days at the airport.

"I've been meaning to ask you," he turned down the music, making eye-contact with me. "Are you sure you want to go to London, sweetheart? You're gonna be so lonely over there."

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous question. "Dad, I'm a grown woman who is fully capable of taking care of herself. Plus, I'll try to make friends or whatever."

"What is it even for?"

"Tourism," I quickly replied, I wasn't allowed to tell my parents the details of my stay. "I'm gonna be writing this huge article on the history of the castle, they might even double my pay!"

My father sighed. "While that's great and all, I'm just worried about you. I know you've been seeking therapy and everything," he paused before continuing. "But really, are you going to be okay?"

Due to some certain events of the past, my parents have been extra careful in regards to my mental health. I was sent to therapy and prescribed medication to get rid of these 'negative thoughts' within my head. Even as an adult, my parents still pester me about it which causes me to be distant.

I groaned, clearly not wanting to deal more with my father's protectiveness. "I'll be fine Dad, trust me. I will make sure to call you twice a week and take my meds."

"Good. Promise me you'll try new things and lay off the drinking for a while?"

I giggled, shaking my head. "Mm, can't make any promises Dad."

I gave him a small grin before opening the passenger door, grabbing my suitcases from the back. I then nod at him as an expression of goodbye, he waves back at me with a sad smile. This was it. I took a deep breath in, hoping for the best, and went to the check-in for the flight.