Chapter 3: A Bit Wrong

***

The Thomson family was indeed a wealthy family.

Their mansion was so big and they have dozens of maids and helpers. Suzie could not even imagine how much the bills this big house paid every month.

Suzie met the current Mrs. Thomson and her step-sister.

Suzie thought that since she was a child born outside of marriage these people would not like her. However...

They were unexpectedly welcoming. 

Mrs. Venice Thomson was a sophisticated woman who always had a gentle smile on her face. She did not look like she was in her forties. But rather in her early thirties. 

Venice took Suzie's hand while the corner of her eyes was turning red, "Oh poor child. I have heard from my husband about the things you went through. You have not even met your mother and your only guardian passed away too early." A tear even came out.  "Don't worry my child, you now belonged to the Thomson family. I would be your mother and you would be my daughter."

Her step-sister also did not lose to her mother's dramatic intimacy. She hugged Suzie. "Sister! I am so happy to finally meet you! You have no idea how happy I am when I heard that I will have an older sister! I am Bianca, I would be your little sister from now on!"

Suzie: "..."

Suzie felt strange seeing strangers cuddling her and being dramatic about this meeting when the result was not even out yet. Would their tears return when they learned that the result was negative?

Also...it was kinda strange that this family was accepting to a bastard child like her. Aren't they angry? After all, Suzie knew her existence might break the harmony of this family.

Just seeing her, wouldn't the Madame of this family get angry and bully her since she was the symbol of her husband's adultery?

Suzie really expected the kind of drama she had watched and read in novels to happen. The kind of where the outside child would be bullied by the madame and by her step-siblings.

But nothing happened. They were all smiles and showered her with caring remarks.

A while later, when the result came out and it was proven that she was indeed kin of the Thomson family, the three were overjoyed.

Seeing them all tears and welcoming her so joyfully, Suzie was in a daze.

Was all of this a dream? 

*****

The following days become Suzie's best days.

She was given a large room for herself which was five times bigger than her apartment. She was given a car, expensive clothes, and jewelleries.

Her father, George, even said that she doesn't need to work since she had some dividends in the company. She doesn't need to worry about her debts too since George would pay for them. This was the least he could do to compensate his daughter that he had missed taking care of for two decades.

At first, Suzie was still suspicious and was waiting for the day when she would wake up with one less kidney. But her days continued to be lavish. 

Her new parents even wanted to throw a party for her to let the whole world know that the Thomson family's eldest daughter had come back.

After Suzie had fun living so lavishly in the past month, she was now recharged and ready to be productive in the family.

Although she only graduated high school, she was experienced in all kinds of work. She was also quick-witted and hard-working. It might be late, but she could learn things about how wealthy family works. She could start at this welcoming party.

So she asked her new parents what she needed to do. But they just answered with a smile.

"You don't need anything. You just have to greet the guests and be the center of attention." Venice replied.

"Is there anything that I need to watch out for? For example etiquette. I could learn things quickly."

Suzie was willing to learn. When she ate in that high-class restaurant, she realized that there were many rules for rich people even when it comes to eating, such as the right use of utensils. 

Since she would become a part of this big wealthy family, she needs to care for her image. She doesn't want to taint the family name just because she was not educated. As the center of attention, she would be watched all day.

Her family would also feel happy that she was willing to give an effort to this family, right?

However, contrary to her expectation, Venice just smiled, "You don't have to worry about that. We accept you for who you are. The guests are close friends of our family. They won't judge you just because you came from the countryside."

At that time, Suzie felt Venice's smile was a bit cold. It was an instinctive feeling that was polished over the years of living in the streets.

But she could not name what was wrong.

In the following days, Suzie tried to make an effort to learn more about the family and the guests that were coming, but the servants avoided her like plague saying they don't need help and she just needed to act like she was.

As the day was getting closer, Suzie was getting nervous.

She looked for her little sister and asked for advice.

Her little sister, Bianca, was happy to help her. "Alright! I'll help you choose a dress! I attended social gatherings since I was a kid. I would surely help you."

Bianca was only one year younger than Suzie. But she acted so coquettishly like a teenager. So Suzie sometimes forgot that Bianca was in her twenties like her, not a teenager.

They visited a boutique that Bianca recommended and the latter chose the gowns for her. 

Suzie stared at the colorful gowns that has obviously bright colors. Suzie hadn't been to formal parties yet but she knows that these kinds of gowns were not suitable. These dresses were mostly used in plays or at children's birthday parties.

As far as she knows, the party was a formal one with guests from upper-class families. It was a welcome party for her so she need to be decent.

And these gowns...would not look good on her.

For a moment, Suzie doubted if Bianca chose these gowns deliberately knowing that she doesn't know much about formal parties and social gatherings.

"Ahm....I think I prefer black or silver gowns. With no puffs." Suzie said after considering for a while.

But Bianca pouted. "Sister, black or silver is no good. You are the center of the party. You should be the most colorful and eye-catching. This will definitely would look good on you. Like a princess in the fairy tale!"

Suzie's doubt lessened a bit. 

Ah, this child just choose the most colorful and vibrant one since she was the center of the party. She chose it with good intentions.

Suzie smiled and explained to Bianca patiently. "They are all pretty. But I am no longer a child or a teenager. It would look good on people like you who have fair skin. But to me, if I wear that I would look like a clown."

A flash of ridicule passed on Bianca's face. But it disappeared in a moment that Suzie thought she was seeing things.

Bianca sulked, "But I choose it for Sister."

Suzie sighed. "Alright, then we will buy it."

They could just buy it and she can wear it after the guest left for Bianca to see. After all, this family could afford to buy one colorful vibrant gown.

Suzie still wanted to check some gowns that suited her preference but Bianca was throwing a tantrum saying that she was hungry.

Suzie could only glance at the boutique shops and thought that she would buy one later when Bianca was not around.