Removing Distractions

Hera stepped out from her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Leonard turned to the sound. “Ah.. good.. Come here, Hera..”

Ding-dong!

Hera glanced at the door. She walked towards it rather than joining the family immediately.

She opened the door and faced a young man, slightly older than her, wearing casual clothes and carrying a big red bag.

“Delivery for Leonard Lewis.” He said, handing her two big paper bags full of dishes in plastic containers.

Hera received it. “Thanks.”

“Sure. Have a good day.” The delivery guy said, his cheeks showing a faint blush, his eyes unable to look at her straight.

“You too.” Hera nodded, closing the door.

Hera walked back inside with the paper bags, heading directly to the dining room and setting the paper bags down.

“Hera–” Leonard uttered. It was obvious to him that his daughter didn’t welcome this change in the house.

Rebekah stood awkwardly to the side as she looked at Hera this close in person for the first time.

Back then, Leonard had always tried to not let them cross paths to avoid Helayna suspecting him of having an affair behind her back.

Leonard never took Leon and Rica to any gatherings hosted by the company, inviting the employees’ family members.

It had worked well before since Leon and Rica were still too young to behave in a proper setting anyway.

As for Hera, she had always been gentle-mannered just like her mother. Bringing her along would earn him praise from others.

Still, this would be the first time for Hera to see Rebekah.

After she set the paper bags on the table, she turned to face Leonard with a deadpan face.

“Hera–let me introduce you. This is Rebekah Webb, this is Leon, and this is Rica. Guys–this is Hera.” He smiled. His heart beat faster in slight anxiety.

“Hello! My name is Rica! I’m 5 years old!” Rica bounced up towards Hera, gazing up at her in amazement. “Big sister Hera, you’re so pretty!”

Hera blinked back at her. ‘She looks a lot like the woman.’

“Big sister Hera, I’ll be sharing a room with you, okay? Because we’re both girls!” The little girl grinned up at Hera.

“Leon! Come here! Say Hi!” Rica beckoned to her brother who walked forward awkwardly.

“Er–Hi.” He nodded at her.

Hera’s gaze landed on his face.

Her brows pulled together. She suddenly had a niggling feeling.

‘Why does it feel like I’ve seen him before?’

“Hi Hera, it’s good to finally meet you.” Rebekah smiled.

Hera turned to her.

“Sure.” She said blandly.

She couldn’t bring herself to act jolly.

If this was a year from now, perhaps she would be able to act a little courteously.

But it was much too soon for her.

“Come on guys! Let’s have lunch!” Leonard interjected.

“Okay.” Rebekah said, smiling gently.

But her smile didn’t reflect in her eyes.

Meanwhile, the others took their seats.

Hera had been avoiding looking at them directly.

“Hera–Rica is five years old and likes cute things. Right, Rica?” Leonard uttered, wanting to make his two daughters become closer.

“Yes! I love it! I like to color, to draw! And I like nail polish and makeup too!” Rica spoke excitedly.

Hera was not heartless after all. She lifted her eyes and looked at the adorable red-headed girl.

“I see.” She nodded at her.

“Mn! Big sister Hera, you’re so pretty.. I want to put makeup and nail polish on you!” The little girl declared.

Hera pursed her lips. She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She’s never had a younger sister before and her mother was not into those things either.

Helayna had a natural beauty that didn’t need makeup or nail polish to enhance it.

So does Hera. Even when she’s only dressed in a simple black shirt and gray loose pants, she still looks beautiful.

Leonard cleared his throat.

“And Leon–he’s good at basketball and likes to play computer games. Hera–you also like computer games, right? I bet you two would get along so well.” He said. “Right, Leon? Tell your big sister what kind of games you like to play..”

“Oh.. I like all kinds of RPGs.. also Shooters..” He said, his cheeks blushing slightly.

His big sister was indeed so beautiful that it’s even making him feel shy. She’s much more beautiful than any girls in his class. Or even if he has to compare to the ones in the other grades, this big sister of his should be a popular girl.

Hera nodded.

“Do you play those too, Hera?” Leonard asked.

“I haven’t for a long time.” She said.

“Oh? But aren’t you always on your computer? You spend a lot of time there that I thought you’re already addicted to that.”

“Eh? Too much time on the computer. That’s not good. Not only does it consume a lot of electricity, it’s also not good for your eyes. I heard that kids die because they spend too much time on the computer. I think that that should change. I don’t let Leon and Rica spend more than two hours on the computer in a day. I know it’s not good for them. Really–I don’t want them to develop bad habits.” Rebekah said.

“I agree. It shouldn’t be that way. But as you know–her mother had been in the hospital for quite some time and I’m always working, so no one could monitor Hera’s screen time.” Leonard said, sighing.

“Well, now that I’m here. That has to change. Hera will finish her High School in four years, she has to focus on it so she can go to a good College. We have to take away any distraction.”

“Alright–then, I’ll get the computer out of her room later.” Leonard said.

Hera was taken aback.

“What? You can’t do that.” She said, her eyes widened.

“Of course I can.”

“Since when do you see me spending a long time on the computer when you’re not home most of the time?”

“What else are you doing in your room then? The other day I saw you on your computer..”

“You count that one time that you saw me and assume that I do that all day and night?” Hera shook her head.

“Hera–we are just worried about you. That it might affect your grades.”

“Miss Webb.” She narrowed her eyes at Rebekah, startling her. “My grades remain unaffected. Last I checked, I’m still at the top of our class when the school year ended.”

“Hera!” Leonard snapped.

“Ah–I see. But you know, you could always improve.. Perhaps being on devices too long would be a distraction.”

Hera sighed. “I’m not sure how I could improve the perfect scores I have been getting in all of my subjects. When I find out, I’ll let you know.”

Rebekah almost choked on her own breath. Her eyes widened.