Chapter 5

Margaret dismissed me for the night. 

I should be grateful that I was left off the hook, but I couldn’t shake the suspicious glare Juliet sent my way. It was a warning to stay away from Allen. 

We all knew Allen wouldn’t settle for anything less as me. Juliet was up to his standards, she fit all the requirements to stay beside him. 

I lied on the soft bed, my back was hurting from the beatings and standing while they ate. I felt bad for declining father’s offer to join them, at least I could’ve eaten something. 

My stomach growled, I pressed a hands suppressing it. The guest were probably downstairs or gone, I didn’t know what time it was. I had no clocks on the wall or a phone to look at. 

It had been a few minutes not sure but I suddenly felt thirsty and decided to stroll to the kitchen. The dinning room was empty, which meant the guests had called it a night.  As for Margaret and Juliet I had no idea where they were but I hopped they were asleep. 

I looked at Juliet’s picture that was hanged at the corridor. It was placed beside that of Margaret’s, while mine was at a far end next to father’s. 

I descended the stairs with caution. The last thing I needed was falling over and getting scolded for being clumsy. 

“Mom, I can’t stop thinking of him.” Juliet was saying. She wasn’t in view because she was in the living room and the kitchen happened to be next to it. 

“Sweetie, I told you not to give it much thought. I have already called your dad, he is on his way.” Margaret consoled.

“Will I marry Allen? I need to have him mom.” Her voice broke at the end ensued by her sobs. 

Although I knew that Allen was never going to take a liking to me I couldn’t help but be jealous of Juliet. 

She got everything as usual, while I was left with nothing.

I trudged into the kitchen, the last thing I wanted was to get spotted by Margaret. I waited for the tap to fill in the glass cup. I could hear Juliet’s voice although not audible yet noticeable.

I wasn’t surprised that Juliet had taken a liking to Allen, yet I was taken back when she suggested marriage. 

Just as I stepped out with my glass of water in hand. Father came through the front door briskly gripping his briefcase. 

From his expression I could detect that the meeting went smoothly. I rushed over to hug him when Juliet appeared behind the living room door, ran passed me and into his arms. 

Father was conflicted, I hid my pain and turned around. I couldn’t help but feel that slight discomfort deep within. I had accepted the fact that Juliet got all the love whether consciously or unconsciously, yet I wished I got the same attention. 

“Darling.” Margaret made an entrance, sweeping the floor with her dark green dress. She kissed father on his cheeks and took his briefcase from him. 

Juliet might’ve noticed me because she snarled at me. I looked at the water on my hand. My fingers were shaking profusely. 

“I will like to talk to you in private.” As she said that she looked at me and I knew I wasn’t welcomed. I didn’t feel like the part of the family anyways.

“Say it now dear, I have work to attend to.” Father replied. A sense of calmness took over me. With Father here, Margaret won’t be able to be mean like she did all the time. 

Margaret wasn’t happy with his words yet she grinned at him. Father sat at the sofa with Margaret beside him. Juliet sat at the other one while I sat at the far end. 

I wasn’t used to the proximity. Often times I stay hidden in my room, only coming out when Margaret needed me for anything—which was all the time.

Father loosened the tie on his neck and unbuttoned the few buttons of his shirt. Margaret was clutching to his right hand like babies do to their mothers. I almost laughed out at the sight. 

“Juliet, what did you say you wanted to tell Daddy?” Margaret began. Juliet was toying with her fingers, she was suddenly nervous. Her lips were quivered but not a word from her. 

I didn’t know how much time passed but I knew it was a lot because father cleared his throat distracting her. The impatience on his face was clear. 

Margaret soothed him by rubbing his arms gently.

“I think I’ve fallen in love with Allen.” She whispered. The room was suddenly silent, Margaret was smiling brightly at her while father’s gaze flickered between Juliet and I.

I wasn’t sure why he was giving me a bizarre look, but I knew it had to be because I was older than Juliet and never brought up the topic of love before him. 

Father placed his fingers on his forehead in exhaustion. It was past ten and normally we retired to bed as such hours—not today apparently. 

“When did you develop such feelings?” he inquired calmly.

Juliet was quiet once again. Her eyes quivered from Margaret to the ceiling. As awkward as the situation was I was content sitting down just enjoying the  show. I would like to believe I wasn’t a bad person, I had never seen Juliet so utter-less, and hopeless.

Margaret couldn’t hold it in any longer. She batted her eyes at Father. To Juliet she uttered, “Daddy asked you a question, dear.”

Juliet quaffed at Margaret’s reminder. The now empty glass was kept on the floor beside my right foot. The room was chilly all of a sudden, the thin material of the gown no longer sustaining it.

My stomach grumbled in pain, I resisted the urge to clutch it—I needed food.

Juliet murmured with a blush. 

 “I want to marry him.”