Family Meeting.
“I want you to be everything I’m not and will never be.” Sia’s mother said, combing Sia’s hair while she looks at her reflection in their half broken mirror perched on the decrepit wall of their house in the slum.
“What are the things you want me to be that you’re not, mother?” Sia asked, peering at her mother in the mirror. She saw the small smile on her face disappear.
Then her mother halted combing her hair, let out a heavy breath and leaned closer. Sia’s back brushed her mother’s front as she spoke.
“I want you to be educated, fierce, strong, compassionate, wise but most importantly I want you to be strong.” She paused, loosed the tangled strands of Sia’s hair before continuing.
“People tend to use you when they know you’re overly soft hearted. You need to know when to stand up for yourself. Like I always tell you, I’m a weakling and that’s the reason we are all here suffering.”
“Your brother. Nicole is dead and I couldn’t do anything about his death. Just weep, mourn and wail all day that’s because I’m not strong.”
“When you’re strong, you’ll also be emotionally intelligent and know when someone comes clean or not. Even if she’s your sister, brother or anybody.” Sia listened raptly but she could tell her mother’s words has deeper meaning. One she’ll never understand.
But in all she said, Sia held onto two words, ‘be strong’.
*
Sia twirled in the couch, trying to relax herself and dream more about her mother but the light tap on her body made her stir from her sleep.
She annoyingly cracked her left eye open and saw Michelle’s face looking over hers.
“Michelle…” She slurred, flapping her sleepy eyes open. “Any problem?” She asked, sitting up.
“You slept here all night, Mrs Monson and you didn’t even eat your dinner!” Michelle hissed, staring pointedly at Sia who rubbed the sleep off her eyes.
The meeting she’s supposed to attend today sat heavily on the pinnacle of her thoughts last night that Sia dozed off unknowingly.
“I…oh, Michelle! I forgot myself. I didn’t know when I dozed off.” She croaked, yawning.
Michelle exhaled heavily, and said, “Fine. You should go and shower before having your breakfast…” She paused and ogled at Sia. “Did you sleep at all or are you having eye problem?”
Sia found her question a little weird but shrugged. “You just woke me up.” She hurled, brows curled up.
“You have dark circles under your eyes. You must have slept late last night. Everything okay?” Michelle asked, peering at Sia, intently.
Sia huffed, biting on her lower lip. “I kinda slept late. You know the weird meeting thing…it’ll be held today.”
Michelle arched her back when she heard Sia mention the meeting.
“It’s today?” She asked.
“Yeah…Silas called me yesterday.” Sia answered.
It then occurred to Michelle that Sia must have been thinking about the meeting which made her sleep late last night. She leaned closer and tap Sia’s shoulder.
“When you go there, be strong. Don’t let them trample on you. And don’t let their threatening words have a tinge effect on you. Always remember you’re now the ruler of the Monson family. When you’re ready, let the public know you now wield power.” Michelle gushed as Sia held her gaze.
Strong…Sia remembered her mother’s words that shoved itself in her dream.
Strong…Michelle’s words also pinned itself on the forefront of her brain.
Sia nodded and finalized inwardly to be strong and prove to them that she’s now in charge of the family no matter what they do, it can never be confiscated from her.
“Thank you, Michelle. I should go get ready.” Sia appreciated.
She spun on her heels, walking straight to the stairs but pause halfway as if she remembered something.
“Michelle, my assistant will be here soon. Give him something to eat while I dress up in my room.” She said not waiting to hear Michelle’s response.
When she stepped into her room, Sia first headed to her boudoir to select a badass outfit. Something that entices the eyes at first sight.
At least now that fear bubbling deep insides her has withered, she’s back to being the confident woman she used to be and she’s ready to give them a piece of her mind.
Neither Silas nor second Mrs. Monson will scare life out of her. She told herself after she selected a mid-thigh floral gown, a five inches white heels, dark sunshade and a customized white handbag. Sia shuffled to her room and set them on the bed before heading to shower.
However, Liam had already arrive in the villa and was being entertained by Michelle per Sia’s instructions.
“So…how does working for Mrs. Monson feel?” Michelle asked as she set Liam’s food in front of him.
Liam didn’t hesitate to answer the question.
“It’s cool.” He grinned. “Thanks for the food.” He added.
Smiling, Michelle said, “You should thank Mrs. Monson, she instructed me to do so.”
Liam nodded at Michelle’s words and began shoveling the food into his mouth.
“Do you like her?” Asked Michelle, gauging Liam’s reaction.
However, hearing that blurt made Liam gag the food in his mouth. He picked up a towel quickly and wiped his lips.
“Uh…she’s nice. She’s Mrs. Monson I can’t like her…”
“No Liam, you got my question wrong.” Michelle face palmed. “I meant do you like Mrs. Monson. I don’t mean do you find her attractive.” She clarified, making Liam feel embarrassed by her question.
However, that reminded him of that feeling he gets whenever he thinks about Sia, see or talk to her. He’s yet to understand why he feels like that but doesn’t want to dig deeper into it.
“Yes. I like her. She’s awesome…” He whispered, making Michelle nod.
She leaned in closer to him before speaking further.
“I want you to be watchful today. She’s about to go in the midst of her enemies who might not think twice taking her life…”
Liam snapped his head to her, eyes bulged.
“Yes, Liam. I’d have love to explain this further but Mrs. Monson will be down any moment from now. So I need you to do one thing today. Protect her like you’d protect your sister.” Michelle murmured, earning a nod from Liam.
‘Sister. I’ll protect the widow as my…sister.’ He murmured inwardly.
Michelle excused herself and walk into the kitchen. Furthermore, Liam nipped on his food as fast as he could so that he can go get the car ready.
While outside, the other driver gave him the keys to Sia’s Bentley and Liam opened the car to scan the inside.
As Liam examined the interiors of the car, he marveled over it. He never owned a car and today he’s going to drive a Bentley!
A Bentley.
Liam touched the seat, feeling the softness of the leather in the palm of his hands while tearing his lips apart in a smile.
“Money’s good.” He mumbled.
While at this, the key in Liam’s hand fell beside the console and as he squeezed his fingers together to clamp on the key the console fluttered open and Liam’s eyes cut through what was inside.
A picture.
Curiosity got the best of him and he wriggled his hand inside and picked up the picture.
Liam bashed his eyes on it and a look of shock hovered his face.
That’s a picture of Sia and Lucas from six years ago.
“Mr. Evangelista and Mrs. Monson? They were lovers? What the heck is going on?” He exhaled sharply, eyes pinned on the picture in front of him. Liam began to put two and two together.
“Mr. Evangelista might have hurt Mrs. Monson and that’s the reason she’s out to revenge. To make him pay!”
Now, Liam understands Sia’s reason for sending him on such a mission. To make someone pay for what he did to her.
It’s obvious to Liam now that Sia will never accept Lucas’s proposal.
“She’ll continue to play him, stress him to get more revenge. It’s making sense now. But who is the real Mrs. Monson?” Liam murmured his thoughts loudly. Curiosity hovering over him.
Who is the real Mrs. Monson? This question stood on the forefront of Liam’s mind.
He put the picture back into the console when he saw Sia trying to open the car’s door.
Before he could suck in another breath Sia already shoved inside the car and ordered.
“Drive.”
She relapsed her back on the seat, legs set on the console and her eyes covered with her sunnies
Hours crawled by until they arrived at Elder James villa where the meeting is being held.
Liam scanned the building and environment as he drove into the compound but he concluded it’s nothing compared to the Monson villa.
There’s no villa in the state that can outshine the Monson villa.
Mr. Monson is the wealthiest and most powerful man in the state.
To create a scene, Sia instructed Liam to park the car in front of the building and not in the garage.
She wants to see what the elders will do.
You know there’s a difference when a woman is in power. Her demeanor alone will command respect and fear and that’s the demeanor Sia wants to put on.
She wriggled out of the car, clutching on to as her bag as she shuffled into the house.
However, Liam followed behind her. The servants directed Sia to James chambers where all the five elders of the Monson family gathered.
Then Silas and his mother sat side by side, glaring at her when she stepped in.
“Hello, everyone!” She said, a smirk took her features.