The Children Of Thalia

Cloudy

I worked six months ago, ever since I wanted to take Lizzy to the hospital in town. It was not a permanent employee because I was 15 years old, but I was paid well.

The company I work for is not big, but it is worth taking into account. A subsidiary of CTI, the largest technology company in Thalia. I work in software development for a mass droids project. Sometimes I also take part in the modeling and hardware design, of course with an additional fee. Maybe I basically like the field of technology, all the tasks I do quickly, until the boss once asked me to directly work in the company after I graduated.

Usually I take shifts at home, my field allows me to work anywhere, but sometimes I have to come to the office to explain the programs I make, or fix some previous programs that were wrong. Like now, I was called to the office after to explain the program I completed yesterday. It's fun to see those who are amazed when trying to understand complicated programs to smooth the movement of a cat-type droid.

I spent three hours in the office. It should have been longer because I was invited to eat after my task was completed, but I refused after getting a message from Lee to go home quickly. No wonder the night is approaching. Maybe our father asked me. I'm still opening my phone, looking through the messages coming. Sixteen messages from Lee, last ten minutes ago. Gawat, I will be told to sit down again one hour listening to his chatter.

I started running. The road shoulder is more empty than usual, whereas these hours should be solid hours because it coincides with the time of returning home from work. My eyes glanced at the sky. The dark clouds were wrestling like black wool. I could also feel the wind blowing coldly stabbing at the back of my hand. There's gonna be a storm tonight. Maybe people decide to go home quickly or stay overnight instead of getting wet and getting a fever the next day.

Until the crossroad, my eyes had a glimpse of my subscription bakery. Still open. The warm light from inside seemed to attract me who was standing cold outside. I remember Lizzy loved the croissant butter from the store, but the dark clouds were closing the sky. Did I just go home? Or buy as a gift? Lee must be waiting for me in front of the home with his sour face, but it feels less if coming home after work like this does not bring anything.

And then, it rained.

.

.

.

.

.

Our orphanage is at the end of town. A little far from the crowd. Of course, originally it was a mansion of rich people who loved tranquility. Even the size of the park alone may be enough to build four to five buildings of a size. Not to mention the surrounding area that is not too dense to make this home seem like a remote place, but still in the city area.

I stood in front of the entrance, soaking wet that the hair that usually looked like this weed fell partially over my face. My school bag was thankfully water-resistant, but my whole outfit was wet. I've even started to feel like my fingertips are numb.

However, this girl, who was technically a three-month older sister, was instead standing in the wide doorway while cross-seeking and looking at me annoyedly. He knew I was cold, but his body didn't even budge the slightest bit from where he was standing. Shit, does he want me to get a cold?

"Anu.

"For what?" Lee replied immediately, I turned my eyes away.

".......... come late, go home soaking wet."

"Do you know it's going to rain?"

"See from the clouds....."

"Then what's in your hand?"

Lee's eyes seemed to point sharply at the plastic bag I was holding tightly. In the end, I decided to buy some hands. Look, I was trying to move fast that time. I bought a croissant, paid for it, waited for packaging, then intended to rush home. What a pity, I had just stepped out of the shop, lightning spitting out a short bright light as if photographing the city, followed by the thunderous sound of thunder shaking the windows and the heavy rain that poured down the ground mercilessly. I wanted to stay there, but it's almost seven. I had to go home or spend the night in the living room with a lecture showering my ears all night.

And that's it, I'm in this situation. I did have a pretty good resistance to cold temperatures since childhood, but stood outside with a body soaked like this, when a rainstorm was pouring through the city, made my feet shiver worse than I expected. Longer than this, I'll be in bed all day tomorrow.

Lee's eyes grew sharp at me, making me instantly feel like a rat in front of a lion. He didn't say anything, just stared at me sharply. I was going to say that she's like a fierce mother, but I knew a mother would let her child in and take a bath first, only then will it be furious until discussed continuously for days later.

Fortunately, shortly afterwards, Lee relaxed his shoulders. He let out a long sigh while retreating slightly from the doorway.

"Warm water is ready. Take a shower, eat."

Thankfully, I thought he'd hold me in half an hour. Soon I took off my shoes and socks, and walked in. Lucky once tomorrow weekend, I can wash and dry all my suits later. I paused for a moment as I passed Lee, giving him the bread. He took it fast.

"Thank you." He said a little bit sniffling while turning away.

I rushed to the bathroom. The warm water is really ready. It's a little hot because I've been cold outside for a long time. I took off my wet clothes, flushed and cleaned before taking a comfortable soak in the ceramic tub. It felt like my whole tangled mind was melting along with the tiredness and coldness I had gained all day. My mind was like it was cleared, empty, leaping. Ah, it feels so sleepy, I think it's okay to close your eyes for a moment in this warm water.

"OOOI, THEOOO, STILL NOT FINISHED???"

And. he came, made my drowsiness disappear instantly.

"Yes, I'm done. There's no need to bang on the door like that." I replied while getting up from the bathtub.

"QUICK, BECAUSE IT'S COLD!!"

Oh, that's right too. I forgot that my stomach had sounded when my nose caught the strong fragrance of spices from Lee's cooking. Obviously, he was taught directly by our father, the one who could make the most delicious curry in this city (in our personal opinion).

"Yes. Can you get out of there first? I'm gonna change my clothes."

"ALRIGHT, NOT FOR LONG!"

Does he have to scream like that? I mean, my hearing was sharp enough to be able to hear what he was saying even though I was in a closed bathroom, there was no need to shout like that. But yeah, thanks for him. It might be bad if I really slept. I could fall asleep until the next morning with a severe cold from a night in the bathroom.

I wiped my body before I walked out of the bathroom. Oh, my dressing gown was already prepared in the basket on top of the washing machine. Lee again. He must have brought me a change of clothes while yelling earlier.

"habit."

I put on those clothes fast. How yes..... Lee is indeed the most attentive though fierce. He gave me three layers of clothes: t-shirts, sweaters, and jackets. He might be a little scared, or worried too that I actually got a cold because I was made to stay outside for ten minutes wet.

I went to the dining room, following the fragrant breeze that filled the room. Oh no, it feels like my stomach is getting taut. Let's forget for a moment about school, work, or Helder's invitation. Come drift away to warm curry and strong spices.

"Oh, you're finally here."

My steps came to a sudden halt when I saw who was also sitting at the dining table. Just one, but his presence was like a vest of soldiers.

"D-dad?"

...* * * * *...