Rose with Thorns

Yvette thought of Wilson’s charming and seductive smile. Her long lashes fluttered slightly as her slender finger tapped on the prompt to accept his request.

“Stay safe on your way back. Let me know when you get home,” came his message.

Yvette didn’t reply, her expression unchanged as she put her phone back into her pocket.

Inside the car, Wilson glanced at the message he sent her that was left on read.

He wore a captivating smile as he thought of Yvette as quite the aloof person.

Samuel watched that scene from the rearview mirror. His thoughts were racing as he finally understood what happened.

The reason Wilson played along with that girl’s act was to get her contact information.

He realized that Wilson was cunning for tricking an innocent girl like that! That said, Samuel had never seen Wilson that interested in anyone before. Could it be that he had taken a liking to that girl?

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was.

That girl looked barely 18, and Wilson said he wouldn’t act like a monster!

It was a complete turnabout, an ironic slap in the face.

…

The next morning, Yvette heard a sweet and coy voice coming from downstairs as soon as she stepped out of her bedroom.

“Uncle Irwin, Aunt Yara, it’s already so late. Why hasn’t Yvie woken up yet?”

The girl continued, “Yvie must be sleeping soundly. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to rest well in a new environment, but it seems she’s adapting to it just fine!”

The sarcasm in her tone was obvious. Yvette smirked and began walking down the stairs with her long legs.

“I specifically told everyone not to disturb Yvie. She just returned yesterday, and there’s no harm in letting her rest a bit longer,” Yara spoke gently.

When she saw Yvie coming down the stairs, her pale face lit up with a radiant smile.

“Yvie, you’re awake! Come with me. I don’t know what’s your favorite food, so I had the kitchen prepare a little of everything. Try them out and see which ones you like!”

Irwin quickly joined in, his voice filled with warmth. “That’s right, Yvie. Sit down and let’s have breakfast!”

Their attention was entirely on Yvette. Yasmin, who was standing nearby, was left ignored.

Upon seeing Yara and Irwin showering Yvette with affection, a flash of jealousy crossed Yasmin’s eyes.

Yasmin was a relative of the family. After her parents passed away, Yara and Irwin raised and treated her like their own daughter.

With Yvette out of the picture until recently, Yasmin had five older brother figures who loved her, making her the center of everyone’s attention.

But now that Yvette was back, she had stolen Yara and Irwin’s affection from Yasmin. Soon, Yvette would be taking her brothers’ love away from her too.

Yasmin would no longer be the only one doted on in the family!

Yasmin bit her lip in resentment, wishing that Yvette had never been found and never returned to take what was Yasmin’s in the first place.

She forced down her jealousy and spoke warmly, “Welcome home, Yvie. You must have had a tough time all these years.”

Upon hearing her voice, Yara and Irwin remembered Yasmin’s presence and quickly introduced her to Yvette.

“This is your cousin, Yasmin.” As Yvette’s porcelain-like face met her gaze, Yasmin’s envy deepened, though she maintained her innocent facade.

Yasmin spoke sweetly, “Yvie, I actually planned to pick you up with Larry yesterday. But Grandpa wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed back to take care of him. Please don’t be mad at me for not showing up, okay?”

In truth, Alex Murray wasn’t actually unwell. Yasmin just used him as an excuse to avoid picking the country girl up!

Yara assured, “Don’t worry, Yasmin. Yvie won’t be mad at you!”

“If that’s the case, then thank goodness!” Yasmin forced a smile and extended her hand to Yvette. “I hope we can get along in the future!”

“Yeah,” Yvette responded while glancing at her hand coldly.

Yasmin’s expression stiffened slightly, feeling a twinge of embarrassment as she withdrew her hand, her gaze turning even more hostile.

How dare this country girl who just returned embarrass her like that!

Yara and Irwin remained oblivious to this subtle tension, carrying on with their cheerful banter. “Alright, alright, enough talking. Sit down and have breakfast, Yvie. Make sure you eat until you’re full!”

“That’s right, Yvie. Let Dad peel the eggshells for you!”

As their focus once again centered on Yvette, Yasmin’s eyes flickered. She seized the opportunity to get their attention.

“Oh yeah, I have some good news, Uncle Irwin and Aunt Yara. I won first place in the piano competition!”

With Yasmin’s announcement, Yara and Irwin redirected some of their attention to her, offering praises alongside smiles. “First place? That’s fantastic, Yasmin!”

“I heard the competition was tough this year. Winning first place truly proves your talent, Yasmin. Who knows, you might even become a world-renowned pianist like Mischa Rachmaninoff someday!”

Yasmin glanced at Yvette with a smug expression.

Yvette couldn’t help but respond with a puzzled look of her own. In truth, the participants in this year’s piano competition were quite mediocre, so winning first place wasn’t such a big deal. The difficulty of becoming a world-famous pianist was much greater.

As Yasmin listened to the praise, the smugness remained fixed on her face.

“Oh! By the way, do you play the piano, Yvie?”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

At that moment, Yasmin seemed to realize she’d made a mistake as a hint of guilt appeared on her face.

“I’m sorry, Yvie. I forgot that you grew up in the countryside, so you probably haven’t even seen a piano, let alone played one.”

Upon hearing this, Yara and Irwin felt like Yasmin’s words sounded somewhat boastful, but they assumed they were overthinking it.

Yasmin was a kind and good-natured child; surely she didn’t mean it that way!

They also thought that if Yvette hadn’t been taken away back then, she would definitely have learned to play the piano as well.

The thought of that made Yara and Irwin feel even more guilty. As such, they had to shower Yvette with even more love to make up for all the hardships she had endured all these years.

“It’s okay, Yvie. If you like the piano, Mom and Dad will hire the best teacher for you!”

“There’s no need for that,” Yvette replied in a nonchalant tone, rejecting their offer. Who would they even hire as her teacher?

Yasmin’s smugness intensified after this exchange. She believed that Yvette wouldn’t stand a chance of learning the piano even if she was taught by the best teacher ever.

There was no comparison between them.

She started, “It’s okay if you don’t know how to play the piano, Yvie. I can teach you in the future, so you don’t have to feel bad…”

“Who said I can’t play the piano?”

Yasmin immediately burst into a fit of laughter. It was hilarious! She did not believe that Yvette, the country girl, dared to claim she could play the piano. It was simply ridiculous.

“So, you can actually play the piano, Yvie?” Yasmin smiled, but her tone carried a hint of provocation. “Then why don’t you play something for us?