Chapter 3 A Benz Car

• "I can't believe I'll be going to the same school as Philip. Why would my dad do that?" Haley complained to Queen over the phone.
• "It could be fun, right?" Queen asked, trying to sound optimistic, but Haley just scoffed.
• "Fun? No way! He's so arrogant. I can't let anyone know he's my step-brother," she said, lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling.
• "Come on, you should give him a chance to be your brother for once. You're starting school tomorrow, and having someone you know around could be great," Queen suggested, but Haley just sighed in response.
• "When are you coming home? I miss you so much," Haley asked, her voice softening.
• "I’m not sure. My mom isn't even talking about coming back—she doesn't want to see dad right now," Queen answered, sounding down.
• "I’m so sorry, Queen. I didn't mean to bring it up," Haley said, feeling guilty. Queen smiled faintly.
• "It's okay. I understand," Queen replied.
• After a few moments of silence, Haley finally spoke again, breaking the quiet.
• "I'll call you later. I have some things to take care of," Haley said, and Queen nodded.
• "Sure, I’ll be waiting for your call," Queen said before Haley hung up.
• She got up from her bed, walked over to her closet, and stood with her hands on her hips.
• "What do I need for my first day at university?" she wondered, pulling clothes out of her closet.
• "Since Dad is going to get me an apartment, I need to pack all my stuff," she thought, grabbing her travel bag as well.
• ***
• Kara and Gideon lay in bed, cuddling under the cool air from the air conditioner. The peaceful atmosphere made for a perfect, cozy moment.
• "So, what do we need to prepare for them?" Kara asked, glancing up at Gideon.
• "Prepare? I’m not sure I follow," he replied.
• "The kids, Gideon. We need to get everything ready for them. They start school tomorrow, and we should get them their own apartment," Kara said, her voice laced with concern.
• Gideon raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that. Actually, I’ve already thought about it, and I don’t think they’ll need a separate apartment. The house is fine. The school is just a short walk away, so it’ll save us money and the trouble of finding a new place."
• Kara rested her head on his chest, mulling it over.
• "That’s true," she said after a moment. "But you know kids these days—they won’t want to commute from the house to school."
• Gideon shook his head with a smirk.
• "Unless we sweeten the deal for them," he said, his tone playful.
• Kara lifted her head to look at him, intrigued.
• “Which is?” Kara asked, eager to know.
• “Getting them a car instead. That way, it will take them from the house to school, and they can use it for other things too. What do you think?” Gideon suggested, and Kara smiled.
• “That’s really thoughtful of you. I hope they like the idea,” she replied, her eyes twinkling with appreciation.
• “I hope so too. Getting them a separate apartment for the two of them just isn’t feasible. We’d have to make the apartments super comfortable, and that would cost more than a small Benz,” Gideon said, shaking his head.
• Kara chuckled. “You call a Benz ‘small’?”
• Gideon laughed. “Well, it’s not exactly a ‘Maxi’ model,” he said, and they both burst into laughter.
• “I’m so happy,” Kara said, her voice full of contentment, as she snuggled closer to him.
• “I’m happy too,” Gideon said, holding her even tighter. “I just hope this brings them together and helps them get along more easily.”
• *
• In the Evening
• Haley dragged herself out of her room and into the bathroom. She had just woken up from a refreshing nap, filled with dreams of school, especially about the dating scene.
• “I can’t wait to have a college boyfriend,” she thought to herself as she stared into the mirror.
• She smiled mischievously. "I’ll make sure I aim for the seniors," she thought.
• She stepped out of the bathroom after freshening up, feeling thirsty. She walked out of her room and made her way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of cold water.
• As she reached for the water, she noticed Gideon, Kara, and Philip chatting under the shade near the poolside.
• "What are they talking about?" Haley wondered, a pang of jealousy rising in her chest. She quickly gulped down the water and walked out of the house, clad in her bump shorts and pink crop top.
• Kara spotted her as soon as she stepped outside and flashed a wide smile.
• "Hey, you're awake!" Kara greeted her, and Haley managed a faint smile. The trio turned to look at her, making her feel suddenly uneasy.
• "Yeah, I'm up. What are you guys talking about?" she asked, her gaze drifting to Gideon.
• "We're making plans for your schooling. Your mom and I came up with something," he said, as Philip pulled out his phone, busy typing away.
• "What plans?" Haley asked, sitting down on a chair a little distance from Philip.
• "We decided not to get an apartment for you two," Gideon explained, and Haley's eyes widened in shock.
• "Why?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise.
• "Because our house is close enough, and it will save us the hassle and cost of getting another place. Instead, we thought getting you both a car, a Benz, would work out better," he continued, a smile tugging at Haley's lips.
• “Really? A Benz?” Haley asked, her eyes wide with excitement, and Gideon nodded.
• “OMG! You will be getting mine?” she asked, already picturing herself behind the wheel, but Gideon shook his head.
• “Not each. I’m getting one car for both of you. You’ll drive it to school together,” he explained, and Haley raised an eyebrow.
• “We’re going to school in the same car?” she asked, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
• “You’re siblings, it shouldn’t be a big deal,” he replied with a smile, but Haley scoffed.
• “So who’s going to do the driving?” she asked, eyeing Philip, who was already grinning.
• “Who else, if not me?” Philip asked, waving the keys in the air like a victory flag.
• “Dad, why didn’t you tell me about this before handing him the keys?” Haley shot a look at Gideon, but Philip just laughed.
• “I’m older, I’m your big bro. I do the driving,” Philip said smugly, and Haley rolled her eyes in response.
• “Dad, say something,” she urged, her tone challenging.
• Gideon sighed, clearly trying to keep the peace. “Fine. Let’s do it this way: Philip drives today, and you drive the next day. Is that okay?”
• Philip immediately shook his head. “Nah, I should be the one driving. She doesn’t even have a driver’s license.”
• Kara, who had been silently watching, intervened. “She’s your younger sister, you should let her have her way too, you know,” she said, a knowing smile forming on her lips. Haley grinned at her mom’s support.
• “Exactly! Though you only took the test a year before me, I do have a driver’s license,” Haley shot back, her gaze narrowing at Philip.
• “Enough, you’ll share the driving,” Gideon said, holding up his hands in defeat. “How about that?”
• “I’m cool with it,” Philip said, nodding in agreement, his grin widening.
• “Whatever,” Haley muttered, standing up and heading back inside.
• As she walked away, Philip's eyes lingered on her as she passed. When he caught his mother’s gaze, he quickly turned his head, pretending he hadn’t been staring.