Contractual Love

Ai's POV There is no way I will forget this New Year's Eve. I worked tirelessly to finish all of the preparations before my Ba returns home. The red paper zodiac cuttings were firmly placed onto the front windows, the door couplets placed on both sides of the front door, bouquets of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, and orchids are throughout the house, and the paper lanterns are nearly dry to be hung from the rods at the front of the house. Looking around at my work, I couldn’t help but feel pride. Baba will be very happy with this, after all it is his favorite holiday. “Ai, get cleaned up immediately. Ba is nearly here!”, came the shrewd condescending voice of my step-mother. Without a word, I went to clean up and put on one of the few nice dresses I owned. Ba will be the only one to mention my birthday tomorrow, I’m sure. I’m not sure if he knows how I have been treated since Shu has come into our lives, but I don’t hold it against him. He only did what he felt was best for me, despite the misgivings. My dress was my mother’s new year dress. My father gifted it to her their first New Years together as a married couple, she treasured it. It was a traditional, long red dress with plum and cherry blossoms, orchids, gold trimming, and slits up both sides. It was tight at the bust, just enough. I brushed my onyx colored hair, slowly putting it into a traditional bun before placing my mother’s orchid hair pin on the top. I put on a light make up routine before heading downstairs to line up to wait for his arrival. Shu looked at me with a mere side glance before making a face of pure disgust. Daiyu, the wicked step sister in my story, ran straight into my shoulder with a huff as she went to take her place by her mother. Shu was once a secretary, before being fired after being caught in bed by her boss' wife. She thought with a child he would abandon his prior family, for them. However rather quickly, she was pushed into the shadows with Daiyu on her hip. Baba took pity on them after mother died thinking with her being a single parent herself, she would easily fall into place with me, filling the void we were both struggling with. So he married her without a second thought. "Madame, the Master has arrived." "Very well. Get dinner on the table at once." With a nod Xue, the only positive motherly role model I had since my mother's passing, went to set the table for our New Year dinner. Sadly, business has been somewhat problematic as of late, causing him to be away majority of the time. Leaving me to fend for myself with the vultures. Luckily, tomorrow I will be of age to leave the main residence for college. I have yet to tell him that I have been accepted into Tsinghua University in Bejing. "Ai, my darling!", he beamed as he enveloped me into his arms. Shu cleared her throat and nodded towards her own daughter. Ba gave me a small squeeze, before giving her a small smile. "Daiyu, it is as if you've grown leaps and bounds since I left." I staved off a snicker, considering Daiyu had somewhat put on some weight in the past few months. Regardless of the strict diet that Shu had since placed her on. Shu immediately interviened,"Dear, I informed you of the medical urgencies she is facing currently". "I did not mean to offend. Merely happy to see you all. I will sadly be leaving after dinner. It seems the work flow will not be slowing down for a while." Shu feigned sadness as she pouted, looking into his eyes. It sickened me, and now he wouldnt be there to celebrate my birthday. I suppose tomorrow will be just another chore day, like every other day while he is away. "Sir, madame, the table is ready", Xue stated, giving me a sad smile. "Thank you, Xue. Please join us.", he insisted. "But dear, this is only a family dinner.", Shu injected. "Nonsense, she has been here with my family for over twenty years. At this point she is family.", he beamed motioning everyone to the table. Shu quickly recovered from her annoyance, replacing it with a sweet smile. I have a feeling Xue and I will be paying for this with extra chores come tomorrow. I am certain Xue has only stayed with us after they joined the family solely for my sake. I can't help but to feel guilt for what she has had to endure in my stead. Many instances, she would step up to take blame for me, as well as the lashings that followed. "Tomorrow is an important day. I am sorry that I won't be here to celebrate the occassion. I am sure Shu has it cared for." "Don't worry about me, Baba. Just hurry home." He smiled and nodded. Turning to Shu, having a small, quiet converstation with occasional laughter as we finished the meal. After we ate, Ba and I went to release the paper lanterns I create each year to decorate together for ma. Shu and Daiyu loathe the tradition. Come to think of it, they loathe anything he and I do together. I suppose it is out of jealousy. We laughed as we made our way to Ma's garden. One of two places Ba strictly instructed that only Xue, he, and I were to enter. As we reached her memorial, I felt the tears begin to fall down my cheeks. Ba gave me a sad smile, wiping them away. "She would be proud of you, Ai. You are smart, kind, and determined. One day I will leave you the business, and I know you will do wonderful things." "I hope that I can live up to your expectations." "Don't be coy. You already have." We sat in silence, remininscing the days shared with Ma for what felt like forever. When we finally stood to release the lanterns, his phone began to ring. We let them go quietly, he gave me a sad smile, and then answered as he walked towards the koi pond. I slowly walked to the kitchen, expecting to find Xue. However, instead I found the mother and daughter pair. Oddly beaming, offering me a cup of green tea. Which, I hesitantly accepted. This must be because Ba hasn't left yet. "Aren't you going to thank my Ma?", Daiyu spat at me. "Thank you, Shu.", I said just above a whisper. "Ha, that's better. Know your place. Just because you are his daughter, doesn't mean you are above me. After all who has cared for you all these years when no one else wanted you?", Shu snarled. I just nodded and stalked to my bedroom. I did my skin care routine with the things Ba brings me, washed my feet, and sipped on the tea. In the middle of my train of thought, I began to feel extremely tired. Perhaps, I over did it today after all. With a yawn, everything was black.