The Villainous Cruz Family - Chapter 12

The next morning, Albert woke up to the afternoon sun shining brightly onto his face. Amidst the sounds of the natural world, several young voices talked over each other, some cheerful, others calm and seemingly deadpan. They were voices he never heard before.

Though he was curious, Albert was disgusted by the amount of sweat released by his body from the combination of a nightmare he could not recall and the blazing sun hitting him at full blast. He endured the muscle pains that remained even after being healed by Kin’s healers and weakly walked over to the bathroom in his room. Only after washing up did Albert step out of his room, the voices still resounding from the room next door.

Irrationally nervous and anxious, Albert peered in from the open door and found Victoria sitting in bed, face red from fever but the same glass smile adorned across her face. Gathered beside and on her bed were four young kids that Albert didn’t know.

There were two with dusty brown hair and bright green eyes that complemented them. They both had relatively short hair, one shorter than the other. It was apparent that they were twins, identical ones at that. If they had the same hair and clothes, Albert didn’t think he’d be able to tell them apart. Even their temperaments were similar.

Another child had bright blonde hair that looked like the sun and beautiful gem like pink eyes. His facial features were delicate, as if it was carved by the gods themselves. From a glance, Albert could see that his temperament was demure and subdued but it did not diminish his doll-like beauty in the slightest.

The last one was a boy with slightly wavy dark purple hair, sharp orange eyes and a young face that tried to look mature. He sat with his back straight and tall, like he was trying to look grown up and mature.

“Victoria.” Albert called out, moving from his spot beside the door to the front of the door.

“Albert, you woke up.”

“You’re alright?” He asked with a trembling voice. “Not hurt?”

Victoria spread her arms out wide. “As you can see, not a single scratch. I just have a fever. Thanks for protecting me.”

“Ah, yeah, no problem.” Albert looked down and back up again. “I’m glad you’re fine. I fainted before Father came so I was worried.”

“Oh, right. Remember the kids from yesterday? They’re them.”

When Albert looked at them, the twins waved with bright smiles. “I’m Atlas”, “I’m Iris.”

“He’s Vin.”

“And he’s Ian.”

“”Nice to meet you.””

The twins greeted and introduced.

“Ah, nice to meet you too. I’m Albert.” He smilingly introduced himself. “Um, you saved us yesterday?”

“Yeah, don’t you remember? The lion on the roof and Mr Sandbag falling asleep.” Victoria asked.

Albert thought back to last night but his memories ended at getting beaten up and eventually just falling to the ground, dizzy. “I must’ve fainted before they arrived.”

“Nah, you did but you woke up again, you even told me to take care of the rest.” Victoria refuted once more.

“…I might’ve forgot because I was out of it.”

“That’s understandable, you were bleeding a lot.” Vin chimed.

“Well, that doesn’t matter. These kids are going to be a part of our family so treat them well.” Victoria nonchalantly revealed.

“……Welcome?” It took him a while but Albert finally reacted. Inside, he could only think about how he was adopted in a similar manner. Victoria made a casual remark and suddenly, they were family. Albert was afraid that the same thing was going to happen multiple times if nothing was done about Victoria’s philanthropic behaviour.

*Guruguru* It wasn’t Albert who’s belly grumbled but rather it was the ever silent Ian. When everyone’s gazes landed on him, he held his stomach in embarrassment, his milky white skin flushing with shame.

“Are Father and Mother home?” Albert asked, seemingly ignoring the protesting stomach.

Victoria shook her head with a sadistic smile. “They’re cleaning up trash in another city.”

Albert nodded, understanding the implications behind her words. “Doing their part in cleaning up the Earth huh?”

“Heh. Well, anyways, they won’t be back until dinner so make lunch for me, Albert.” Victoria demanded.

“”Lunch?”” The twins chimed, licking their lips in anticipation.

However, Albert simply shattered their expectations. “I can’t cook. Call the cooks and tell them to make lunch.”

Victoria crossed her arms and refused to listen. “Today is family cooking day, so you have to cook.”

Albert just sighed. Family cooking day was held every Saturday. It was the one day that they cooked by themselves instead of having the cooks do it. “Fine, but don’t expect too much.”

The whole lot of them left Victoria’s room and downstairs to the kitchen. There, the ingredients left behind by Joan lay on the kitchen counter. After giving them a quick glance, Albert looked at the kids and asked them what they wanted to eat.

“”Pizza!”” Screamed the twins.

Vin thought for a bit before answering, “Chow mein.”

“…” Ian was silent.

“Braised pork chops.” Requested Victoria.

“Impossible. I’m making omelettes.” Albert outrightly revealed.

“Then why’d you ask?!” The twins protested.

“In case you wanted to eat omelettes.”

“…” The twins didn’t know what to say in response and opted to stay silent.

Smiling with mirth, Albert opened the rice cooker only to find it full with rice that was still warm. It seemed that Joan cooked it just before leaving. Quickly frying the rice with diced up meat and vegetables, he added some tomato sauce and plated them on six plates. Then, very skilfully he cooked the eggs and beautifully wrapped the rice with it. To top it off, the scribble of tomato sauce was added, creating the perfect and typical Japanese omelette seen in every anime.

“There, eat up.”

“Wow~, I thought you said you couldn’t cook.” Iris said with admiration, spoon in hand.

“Well, I hadn’t tried before so I didn’t know.”

“Eh? What’s that supposed to mean?” Inquired Vin.

“I don’t know my past at all, only the few months after being adopted.”

“I betch uu wash ah shetch (I bet you were a chef!)” Atlas claimed with his mouth filled with food.

Albert smiled, it was unlikely but it would be kinda nice if it was true.

—–

Time for ‘I JUST FELT LIKE IT!!!’

–What if this was a food story?–

Atlas gleamed at the seemingly glittering plate of omelette with the eyes of a hungry wolf. The yellow of the eggs a stark contrast with the snaking red tomato sauce that decorated the top. The egg wrapped around the tightly packed rice like a blanket, enticing the starved boy to flip it over and reveal the red gems that lay beneath. But he resisted the urge, licking his lips and swallowing the drool that threatened to drip from his mouth.

Breath quickening, the young boy picked up a metal spoon, the blunt edge cutting the fluffy egg with ease. With flushed cheeks, Atlas brought the perfect spoonful to his mouth.

“Mmmmm~!!!” He moaned with delight. Flavours exploded in his mouth and he felt like his clothes were being ripped apart by a tornado. Atlas felt like he was dancing in a field of tomatoes and little manga meat and vegetables, Food Wars style……

[Yeah, bored of it now so it ends here]