Aileen
Dave and I spent one hour discussing our plan to teach Dad a lesson. But I was too tired to pay attention, so before I realized it, I fell asleep.
The next morning, I found myself sleeping in my bed. And didn’t have a clue how I got here at all.
He must’ve carried me to my room. He’s so nice.
I couldn’t see anyone at the table when I went downstairs for breakfast. So, I just went to sneak a peek inside the kitchen.
Rita was stir-frying some shrimp with the pasta sauce, which smelled so good. I reached up behind her without realizing it.
“Mhmm, it looks so good. Are you making pasta?” I asked, “Where are others? They aren’t helping you out?”
She glanced behind her to see me. “Oh, Miss, yes I’m making pasta. There are meatballs as well and scrambled eggs with veggies. Tina and others have a day off today. So, I’m the only one working here.”
“Oh…. but can you do all the housework by yourself? Won’t it be too much work?”
“Uh…. are you worried for me?” she laughed.
“Um, yes.”
“You’re so considerate of others, just like the Luna. But, don’t worry, I’m used to doing it every day. So, this is light work for me. And Master doesn’t force anything on us. I’ll finish what I can and leave it for tomorrow.”
“I see…but can I do anything to help you out? I feel bad seeing you do everything on your own. And two hands are always better than one, right?” I suggested.
She laughed again. “You are really something. If you insist so much, then chop the veggies crack the eggs into a pot, and make the scrambled eggs and toast. Oh, and coffee for Master, and Luna sometimes drinks Tea. I’ll make the salad, that’ll be all.”
“Okay, great.”
I took out the eggs and started preparing everything. I mixed the veggies and made the perfect scrambled eggs with a golden-brown texture. Then, prepared the toast and the coffee for Dave.
“Are you done, Miss?” Rita asked, coming over to my side.
“Uh, yeah mostly. Have you laid out the plates yet?”
“Yes, the table is ready. Let me bring the dishes to the table then.”
“Uh, sure.”
“You can go back and sit at the table or call others who haven’t arrived yet,” she suggested.
“Hm…I’ll do that.”
I left the kitchen to head outside. I was about to head upstairs but saw Dave coming down together with Mom the very second.
“You are up early,” Dave remarks.
“I am, Good Morning, Good morning, Mom.”
“Morning, Aileen,” she dismissed with a half-smile, then went to sit at the breakfast table.
She still has a frown on her face. What can I do to make her feel better? Sending her to work like this feels rough.
Dave came down and stood next to me.
“She didn’t match the energy you were giving,” he added, patting my head. “Don’t take it to heart. Everything will become alright again.”
I nodded with a forced smile. “Yeah, I hope so as well.”
“Let’s go eat up now,” he said, bringing me to the table.
We sat side by side and the maid started serving.
“Here’s your coffee, Master.”
“Thank you.”
“Madam, would you like to eat pasta with shrimp?” Rita asked.
But Mom gave no response.
“Madam?”
“Mom, you like pasta, right?” I yelled aloud, tapping on her shoulder.
Suddenly, she’s back to reality.
“Uh, what? You said something?”
“Yeah, you want pasta? Rita made pasta with shrimp.”
“Pasta…. uh…h him sure. I’m fine either way.”
“Try it, before that eat the scrambled eggs with veggies, I made it!” I said proudly.
“You…. made it? Why?” Mom asked, a bit surprised. “She could do it by herself.”
“Uh…yeah. But”
“She said she felt bad watching me do all the work. That’s why she helped out in the kitchen,” Rita replied. “I appreciate her help. Thank you, Miss.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Anyway, try i, t Mom. And tell me how it tastes!” I insisted, turning to Dave. “You too.”
He smiled and started eating. And Mom did the same. I was trying to cheer her up in any possible way, but that wasn’t working out exactly.
“The food is good, thanks Rita and Aileen,” Dave said while munching on the toast.
“1 point scored. What about you, Mom?”
She sighed dejectedly, moving her food all over the plate with the spoon.
“It’s edible. But, I wanted a runny egg. It’s okay though.”
This may be the first time I’ve heard a half-hearted reply. She never talked like this. What’s gotten into her?
“I see…. I’ll make one runny egg for you someday.”
“She actually made the perfect scrambled eggs,” Rita compliments, smiling. “And she also did the rest of the work without needing help. She has great potential to be a lovely housewife. I’m jealous of her future husband. Having a beauty who’s smart and also cooks well too. That’s totally a bonus point, right?”
Dave coughed a little hearing her statement.
“The life of an ordinary housewife sounds pitiful,” Mom comments, sarcastically. “She should become an independent woman who can earn a living without looking back at any man. Don’t you think, Aileen?”
“Uh…..”I glanced at Dave beside me with an awkward expression. “I agree with you.”
He looked very much uncomfortable with the conversation we were having at the moment.
“You know, I don’t mind being a housewife,” Rita added. “If my man earns for me, I can stay at home and spend time with my kids. I don’t even hate hhouseworkat this point. But, unfortunately, I, don’t have a boyfriend. I’m only waiting for the day for my prince to take me away on a white horse and claim me as his princess.”
“I hope you find your prince on the white horse, good luck with it,” I said to Rita.
She smiled pleasantly. “I hope he’s waiting for me. Or else I won’t forgive him.”
“Men are deceptive, and women are easy to deceive, so place your bets on a man very carefully. You might get played without your knowing,” Mom added, sipping on her tea.
Rita looked at Mom with a puzzled face. “You seem to be in a bad mood Madam. Is everything alright with you?”
“Uh, yeah. Nothing is wrong with her,” I replied in her stead.
“I think we should finish eating. I’m getting late for work.” Dave added, nervously gulping down his food.
I nodded and ate quietly.
In the middle of eating, Dave’s phone started ringing. His mood instantly changed after seeing the name on the phone screen.
The smile on his face was genuine one.
“Hello, why did you call?”
“Oh, yeah. No, I’m just eating. You go on.”
“Hm…oh, I totally forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me. Is it tomorrow?”
“Hm…. I see, yeah. I’ll make sure to be there. Yeah, everyone will come. No worries. By the way, did he tell you to remind me or something?”
“I see,” he laughed. “Thanks again, though. See you there tomorrow. Yeah, sure, bye. Have a good day.”
He hung up with a smile on his face.
“Did something good happen? You seem to be in a good mood,” I inquired.
“Oh, it’s….. I have news to announce before leaving,” he said, clearing his throat.
“News?”
“What news?” Mom asked.
“Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the new company my dad and I are starting together. And he told me to bring my whole family to the party, as Aileen hadn’t met him yet. He wanted to see her in person.” I replied. “It almost slipped my mind that it was this week. Thank god someone reminded me.”
“We are going to a party to see your dad?” I asked, a bit startled.
“Uh, hm. Not just my dad, but my dad’s new wife as well. You haven’t met either of them, so it’ll be good to meet up.”
“Oh….”
“What time is the party starting?” Mom asked. “I need to ask someone to take my shift then.”
“7 p. m. Can you manage? We can go a bit late if you want to.”
“No, it’s okay. It won’t look good if the hosts arrive at the party late. I’ll try to come on time. I need to get my clothes ready beforehand as well.”
Wait, do I have any party wear dresses? The only party I had gone to was the high school prom with Jack. And that dress doesn’t fit me anymore. Should I go in my jeans and crop top? Will that look good?
“Okay, you two finish eating and leave on time. I’m in a hurry so excuse me,” Mom said, getting up from her seat ready to leave.
“Uh, have a good day!” I waved at her.
She nodded and left saying, “Bye.”
“Good call, Aileen, do you have any dress to wear at hand?” Dave asked.
“Uh…. no..? I guess? Oh, but I do have the dress I wore at the birthday party of mine. I can wear it again.”
“No, you need something else to wear,” he cuts me off. “I’ll arrange something for you. Wait.”
What? Is he going to take me shopping to buy a dress? That doesn’t sound bad either.
“Here,” he took out something from inside his coat and handed me a card.
“This is?”
“My credit card which I currently have at hand. You can use it to buy any dress you want and make it look a bit pretty so it stands out in the crowd.” He replied. “Oh, and buy shoes according to it as well. And any jewelry to match. I wanted to come with you at first but I have work today. So, you have to work it out on your own. Sorry.”
“Uh…. it’s okay. But, you don’t need to give me your card. Just a little bit of money will be enough,” I replied.
“I can’t, I don’t have that much cash available at hand. Take the card, it’ll be easier.”
“I see…alright then.” In the end, I had to take his card.