Chapter 3

Indiana and Grace stood docilely by the door.

My hold on the doorknob intensified, I was afraid to look behind me to Margaret who sat gracefully asking at intervals who was there. 

I stepped down shielding my best friends from her view. Margaret had warned me against bringing intruders into her household—and by intruders she meant my two best friends. 

“What are you guys doing here?” I whispered-yelled.  

I closed the door behind me. 

“We decided to visit you, since you know—” Indiana started.

I knew I was a shitty best friend. I rarely hung out with my friends. Margaret was to blame for it, she made sure I had no time to spare. I go to bed late everyday and wake up early in the morning to continue with the house chores. 

Grace was looking down. She was the sensitive one out of us all. I couldn’t help but be guilty.

“This is unfair,” Grace whispered. I looked behind. Somehow we were all waiting for Margaret to emerge behind the sealed doors. 

“We don’t hang out anymore because of your mom.” It was when Indiana mentioned that I recalled who Margaret was to me. She was my mom—Juliet’s mom. 

“I have chores.” I said like all the times I did before. I couldn’t permit my best friends in the world to talk ill of Margaret no matter how mean she was—she was still my mother. 

“You always say that.” Indiana rumbled. “Stop it Cheryl, she isn’t going to love you. You need to stop wishing she will.” 

Grace reached out for me, engulfing me in a hug. She knew how I was hurting. She understood what it felt like to love someone unconditional—hoping that some day they would love you back. 

“It’s fine Cheryl. We can—” Grace wasn’t able to complete her sentence because Margaret was standing by the door glaring intensely at us. 

Indiana and Grace bid me goodbye before running out of the gate into the neighborhood. 

“Didn’t I warn you not to bring over intruders?” Margaret questioned. 

I wiped my sweaty hands on my tattered gown. I couldn’t utter a word nor move. Just when her hands could come in contact with me, Juliet interfered. 

“Don’t waste your time on her mother. Remember how daddy sounded serious over the phone. It’s nearly 6:00pm, and the guest will be arriving soon.”

I thanked my lucky stars. Twice did Juliet saved me from Margaret. Almost as if she liked me. 

I mustn’t be deceived. Juliet was just joyful over meeting with Allen, and I just happened to be fortunate. 

“Yes, yes my dear.” Margaret smiled sweetly at Juliet. To me she uttered with disdaine. “Go and prepare dinner, don’t slack.” 

And I cooped to the kitchen.

______•••••______

Dinner was made after intense cooking. I had prepared four dishes, fried rice and chicken, cheesecake, pretzels, lobster rolls—chocolate fondue for dessert. 

The dinning room was neatly set. Plates and cutleries placed at their respective positions. Not to forget wine. 

Margaret informed us that our guest would be arriving any time soon. Juliet was dressed in a dark-colored pink princess dress. Atop her head was a crown that complimented her looks although she appeared ridiculous. Her hands were hidden by the matching gloves. Her hair was in a bun—only Juliet could pull out such a look and nail it. 

I was standing by the kitchen door with spatula in hand ready to serve any moment. Margaret strictly ordered to stay out of her hair except stated otherwise. 

Their arrival was announced by Juliet’s squeals. “Good evening Daddy.”

Her voice echoed in the corridor.

Father’s replies weren’t audible. I fought the urge to run and evolve him in a deadly hug. It had been five months since he was home. Sometimes I knew Margaret wouldn’t treat me as horrible as she did if Father stayed home. I remembered when I was young and he would obliged to go on another business trip, I would spend the night hugging my stuffed bunny to my chest and crying my self to sleep. 

Father walked in the room majestically like he always did. He sat down and whispered sweet

nothings to Margaret who was overwhelmed with joy. 

Juliet lead a young good looking guy to his seat, I guessed that was the Allen she was fanning over. He was tall, strong built with an oval shaped face, his lips were thin and pink. I wondered how soft they would feel. Stop it, Cheryl, he won’t notice you. 

“Mr. Ian,” father acknowledged the middle-aged man. His hair had long succumbed to age—greyish. Unlike Allen, he smiled at Margaret and shook hands with Father with a delightful aura.

I observed them through the half opened kitchen door. I needed to make sure that I was there when Margaret needed me. 

It was hard to depict what they were saying, they were a few feet away from the dining room. I watched intently as Juliet flirted with Allen, rubbing her hands on his shoulder and fluttering her eyelids. Allen looked peeved, yet he didn’t push her away.

Juliet had that effect on people; she tried hard to impress whenever she could. It wasn’t difficult considering the fact that she had recherché outfits and fit with the elites.

I closed my eyes, my body felt sore all over. I cross-checked that the plates were carefully kept and the trays were at reach. 

“I love your shirt,” Juliet chirped. Allen looked at her with a frown adorning his handsome features. 

It was the first time since he came that I took a good look at him. From where I stood I could see his green eyes illuminated by the bulb. 

My heart was beating fast, the kind it did whenever Margaret got mad at me. I couldn’t stop myself from gazing at his blonde silky hair that was swept back. I knew it was silky because Indiana’s brother, Jaret, used some products and it made his hair silky. 

I looked away afraid to be caught in the act. 

“Cheryl” Margaret yelled from the table. 

I had a tremendous feeling that this evening was going to be eventful—a life-changing-one.