Chapter 4: Family Dinner

I wasn't sure what to expect when arriving for dinner, but quickly realized I was significantly underdressed. Though not formally elegant, the gathering clearly wasn't a casual jeans-and-t-shirt affair. Jean's disapproving glance as I entered the dining room wearing black leggings and an oversized band shirt spoke volumes. Her lip curled in distaste before she pointedly turned away, heading for her seat.

"You can sit in the last chair there," she instructed, indicating a seat at the table's end. It happened to be positioned right beside a tall, brooding man with impressive muscles and a perfectly groomed beard. I approached hesitantly, feeling his intense gaze track my movement as a smirk played across his lips.

"You must be the famous Lina," he remarked, his deep voice resonating with subtle mockery.

Famous? Hardly. "Yeah, that's me." I sank into the designated seat, fingers nervously tugging at my shirt hem.

Taking my designated seat, I watched servants bring out dish after dish of elaborately prepared food. My eyes widened at the excessive spread before I was distracted by three more imposing figures entering the dining room.

Carl, Ara, and another man I hadn't yet met arrived with an unmistakable commanding presence. Their collective energy seemed to transform the room's atmosphere instantly. I forced myself to stop staring at their godlike physiques and instead focused intently on my water glass as though it were the most fascinating object in existence.

"Devin, I see you've met Lina," Ara commented, noticing the bearded man beside me. Carl's face immediately hardened into a glare. His continued hostility baffled me—I'd done nothing to warrant such animosity.

The bearded man—Devin—turned to Carl with a provocative smile. "Yeah, though she's not much of a talker."

"Consider that a blessing," Carl retorted as he took his seat, his tone dripping with disdain.

As another body settled into the chair across from Devin, I noticed the striking resemblance between the two men. Doing a double-take, I realized I was sitting between identical twins—though their expressions couldn't have been more different. One exuded playful charm while the other radiated cool detachment.

I discreetly pinched myself under the table, checking if I might be trapped in some bizarre dream. The sharp pain confirmed this was indeed my new reality—surrounded by four impossibly attractive men who seemed to collectively despise my existence.

"You okay?" the newcomer asked, giving me a perplexed stare.

My eyes widened as I forced an awkward smile. "Yep... yep. Completely fine. Nothing wrong here."

Devin began laughing, shaking his head as he looked at his twin. "Barry, I think she's shocked we look alike."

"Unfortunately, we are twins," the irritated man stated plainly, causing Devin to chuckle. "And I'm the normal one."

"Don't let him intimidate you. Barry may seem harsh, but he's actually a giant teddy bear," Devin added, earning an eye roll from his brother.

"For some reason, I find that hard to believe," I muttered, taking another sip of water as Kennedy finally entered and took his place at the head of the table.

Conversation quickly devolved into business discussions and political matters as we began eating. Having little interest in corporate strategy or political maneuvering, I retreated into my own thoughts, tuning out their dialogue. I had no desire to form personal connections with any of them, seeing no reason to engage in their conversation.

"What do you think, Lina?"

The question jolted me from my internal refuge, and I looked up in shock, caught completely unaware. "Huh?" My fork clattered against the plate.

"She isn't even paying attention. Why bother asking her opinion?" Carl snapped at Ara, prompting Kennedy to give him a disapproving look.

"She is part of the family, Carl."

"Right," Carl replied with an exaggerated sigh, his glare intensifying as he looked at me. For a moment, I could have sworn I saw golden flecks flash in his dark eyes.

"I asked what you thought about adding a recreation center on the property for the residents," Kennedy explained, repeating his question.

I found the proposal oddly philanthropic for someone I'd always perceived as self-centered. "How many people live here?"

"Well, across the entire property we own, about forty-two individuals of various ages," Kennedy replied.

I was genuinely surprised that many people resided on Kennedy's land. The estate must be far more extensive than I'd initially realized. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll call it a night," I said, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by this new information and the hostility emanating from Carl.

"Of course, Lina. Thank you for joining us," Kennedy responded warmly as I stood and headed toward the back door.

"I told you not to let her come," Carl's voice carried softly through the air.

"You know I didn't have a say in the matter, Carl," Jean replied with obvious frustration. I had inadvertently stumbled upon a private exchange, but their discussion of me made me pause to listen.

"He's your mate, Jean. You could have talked to her with a lot sentences, but you kept them," Carl snapped. Mate? I found his wording strange—most people would have said "husband" or "partner."

"Carl, that's enough. Stop this immediately. You will not speak to me that way," Jean admonished.

He sighed audibly. "I'm sorry. It's just... difficult to focus with her around."

"Well, perhaps make her want to leave. I don't approve of her presence here either," Jean suggested, her words confirming what I'd always suspected—she'd never wanted me in her life.

Pushing away from the wall, I continued toward the back door, pausing as I gripped the handle. Turning back, I made direct eye contact with Carl and Jean, both frozen in wide-eyed shock at being overheard.

"Such a warm welcome," I remarked, sarcasm dripping from every syllable before I pulled open the door and disappeared into the night, heading toward the sanctuary of my cottage.

After the chaos of the day, all I wanted was a hot cup of tea and mindless entertainment to decompress. The tension headache forming at my temples reminded me why I'd avoided this place for so long.

Despite their obvious desire to drive me away, I wouldn't be easily intimidated. Too much depended on my success here, and if they wanted to play hardball, they'd discover I was quite capable of holding my own. They clearly didn't realize what they were up against—I'd survived far worse than their cold shoulders and hostile glares.

As I walked the path to my cottage, the Ken jungle's edge seemed to whisper with activity—leaves rustling despite the still air, shadows shifting unnaturally between trees. For a moment, I could have sworn I saw eyes reflecting moonlight, watching my retreat.

Imagination, surely. Just my overtaxed mind playing tricks after an emotionally draining day.

Yet as I closed and locked my cottage door behind me, I couldn't shake the peculiar sensation of being observed—not just by the family in the main house, but by something else entirely. Something hidden within the darkness beyond my windows.

Exhausted, I dragged my body to the bed, flipping over and collapsing into the pillows, unconsciously falling into sleep.

Dreams wove me into their tapestry of contradictions - prowling shadows that nipped at my heels with sharp teeth, golden eyes watching from the void. Four distinct presences circled me—one tall and commanding with an intense gaze, another gentle yet protective. Twin shadows moved in contrasting patterns, one playful and mischievous, the other calculating and reserved. Their teeth gleamed in the moonlight, sharp and threatening yet somehow protective as they formed a perimeter around me.

I woke several times, certain I'd heard scratching at my door or movement outside my window. By morning, exhaustion had settled deep in my bones, but with it came renewed determination. Whatever game Carl and the others were playing, I refused to be their pawn.

Whatever secrets lurked within the family dynamics, I sensed they were darker and more complex than simple dislike for an unwanted step-daughter. Carl's strange terminology—"mate" instead of "husband"—lingered in my thoughts. Such an odd, primal choice of words for someone so seemingly sophisticated.

But then, nothing about this place or its residents conformed to normal expectations. I would need to stay vigilant if I hoped to navigate this new reality without losing myself in the process.