18

"F-Father?" I call out, startled.

I look back at my brothers and they all seem to zip their mouths while looking down.

Oh no! He heard what they said!

I never really thought that someone can make them look like puppies being punished but this is father we're talking about...

"My apologies. Good afternoon, father. H—How long have you been there? You should have told us that you'll be coming here..." I say nervously.

"Well, it was quite...entertaining to hear stories about me," he replies sternly.

Ugh!

I try my best to laugh it off but father just glares at my brothers. Father really looks like he's gonna suck all the blood out of them by the way he glares.

"A—Anyway, why are you here, father? Do you wish to take a rest in the greenhouse today? If that is so, me and my brothers could all go somewhere else if you want—"

Suddenly, his hand falls on my head.

"No need. I just heard that my daughter called for her brothers to eat some snacks. I'm just curious...why she didn't bother to ask for my presence too."

He said it so flatly that I feel so guilty! Is this...what my brothers are talking about? Have I made a mistake for not inviting him? Am I gonna be punished too?! Oh gosh!

But I thought he didn't like things like this! I mean they never even dine together and he's always busy. How could I have known that he'd want to take part in this?!

I want to ask those questions but that'll just be the same as asking for a death sentence. He's mad and I know he wouldn't like it...

Shockingly, he sighs and sits on an empty chair. My brothers all flinched at his sudden action. He even motioned for me to sit back on my chair. Terrified, I just did.

"So...were you all talking behind my back?" father asks that made brother Samsik drink his juice. "There's no use in lying. You can all just be honest. What do you all want to say in front of me? Speak up."

Oh father, you just made the atmosphere a lot more petrifying by asking that! Ha... I think I should save my brothers.

Right! Looking back, I never said anything bad so out of all the four of us, I am the most qualified to try and smooth things out. I can do this. I just have to be brave this one time.

"Father, my brothers are just telling me to be careful...in front of you since you don't like mistakes. They just didn't want me to end up getting punished," I dare say.

He turns to me with a raised brow and I gulp.

"Serra, I understand that you want to save your brothers but I am talking to them—"

What do I do? Ugh! It's no use being intelligent! I should probably just act my age. Right! Since the day I've been here, there's just one thing I realized. It's that one important trait that only I possess!

Shamelessly, I engulp my father's hand with my hands and look at him as desparate as I can.

"Father, please forgive them! I...don't want to see my brothers hurt." I even add more service such as sobbing and tearing up to make me look more believable. "It's...painful to see bandages wrapped around them. I just want to enjoy their presence and...and also yours. Father, please? They didn't mean to talk bad about you. They really just wanted me to be aware in everything that I do. It's my fault. I'm sorry..."

Now, I've done it. I hope it's enough to soothe my father's unreadable personality. I feel like fainting any moment now. I mean, it's a bit kinda hard to breathe with this tension.

"Serra..." he calls out.

I dare to look up to him but he just wipes away my tears before covering my ears. He then looks at my brothers' direction with a serious expression. I watch as he moves his mouth. He's speaking but I can't hear clearly because of his hands covering my ears.

"Father? W—What are you telling them?" I lowly calls out, a bit scared.

I glance at my brothers and they all look so surprised that their eyes goggled and their mouths fell open. It was as if father just gave them an atomic bomb!

I have no idea what my father is saying but I'm guessing that it's a good thing since they look less terrified now.

He removes his hands after a while and fixes my messed up hair.

"Are you going to punish them again?" I carefully ask while frowning.

"Serra, it's just between me and your brothers but I promise...that you won't see them in bandages after this."

"Really?!"

He nods and reaches for my hand on the table.

"Serra, I didn't wish to make you cry so in exchange, is there anything that you'd like to ask from me?" father asks.

So I guess...everything's good now. Wait! Did he just ask me if there's anything I'd like to have? A reward? Anything?

"Father...I wish to eat with everyone from now on. On the same time, on the same table...with all of you. Is that...possible?" I bravely ask.

Father seems startled but he just nods.

~*~