AN ENTANGLED AFFAIR

Chapter 002

It was dinner time, Carissa and the rest of her family sat around the big glass dinner table, the food was served after a minute.

“How is job hunting going?” Carissa's mother asked with a look of mockery etched on her face.

Carissa's parents had always favored her older sister, Penelope, and her younger sister, Pamela. Penelope had always been the perfect child - studious, obedient, and well-mannered. Pamela was young and beautiful, already engaged to a successful man. Carissa felt like the black sheep of the family, the one who was never good enough.

She was constantly criticized for her lack of direction and ambition. Her parents couldn't understand why she didn't just settle down and get a "normal" job, like Penelope and Pamela. But Carissa had dreams of her own, and she wasn't going to relent until she proved to them that she could succeed.

Penelope snorted, she immediately clamped her mouth when she was glared at by her father, they all turned to Carissa expectantly waiting for her answer.

“Well I haven't gotten any work yet, but I'm still hoping. I've sent emails to some companies, hopefully, I'll get a response soon.” she said, a fake smile on her face.

Mother and sister exchanged a mocking glance as they tried to suppress their laughter. Carissa's heart broke. She quietly looked away.

“Don't worry dear sister, you'll get it someday.” Her kid sister, Pamela said, but was scolded by their father for giving Carissa false hope.

“All you need is a change of occupation, acting is just a waste of time,” he said sternly, causing their mother and Penelope to snicker.

Carissa was quiet for a moment, with her head lowered. She thought about the best way to bring up the topic about traveling out with Ethan. Her mind was already made, and had braced herself up for any form of rejection she was going to face, and the consequences after defying their orders.

“You know, acting has always been my dream ever since I was a child.” she explained sullenly.

“Are you acting now?” her father asked, dropping his fork on the plate, as he stared at Carissa.

Penelope once again chuckled, “At least she is acting like a child.”

"If she knew better she would choose a better career, and get settled."

"But Penelope, at least Carissa is working towards her dreams. She may not have everything figured out, but she's doing her best. It's not fair to ridicule her, just because Mom and Dad are against it.”

“How dare you say that to your elder sister?" Carissa's father said, his eyes burning with rage.

“I'm sorry, dad, but I was only stating the fact. Carissa has the freedom to choose what she wants.”

"We're not forcing anything on Carissa, dear," her mother replied. "We're just doing what any parent would do - helping our daughter find her path in life. And look how well it turned out for you - you have a great career and are about to get married. Can't you see that we just want the best for Carissa?"

"If that's it, then let her go ahead with her dream career. All she needs is support from you and dad.“ Pamela said, as she poured herself some water.

“Oh shut up, what do you know?” Penelope shouted at Pamela across the dining table.

"You chose to have a child out of wedlock and married the father, even though you knew it would make you a laughing stock among your friends," Pamela said. "Carissa has nothing to do with that decision. Why are you putting your frustration onto her? You should be proud of her career ambitions. Why are you so jealous?"

Carissa was so grateful that at least someone saw all her efforts. Seeing Pamela defend her every time was one thing she would forever be grateful of.

Penelope had never been the ambitious type. She had always been more concerned with superficial things like makeup and parties. She had been in and out of relationships, never settling down with anyone until she accidentally got pregnant by an older man who had a physical disability. Now, she was trapped in a loveless marriage and a life she never wanted.

Carissa could see the jealousy and resentment in Penelope's eyes, and she knew it went back to their childhood. Even when Carissa was younger, Penelope had felt threatened by her. Penelope had always thought of life as a competition, and she resented Carissa for simply being different. She was envious of Carissa's freedom and the possibility that she might meet someone better.

"How dare you!” Penelope raged, her eyes burning red.

"Enough!" her father barked, cutting through the tension in the room. "This is not the time or place for this argument. Can we please have some peace at the dinner table?"

The room fell silent, the only sound was the clicking of forks against plates.

A moment passed, then Carissa broke the silence with her announcement.

“Mom, dad, I'm relocating to America in two days.”

The silence in the room was deafening. No one spoke, no one moved. It was as if time had frozen, and all eyes were fixed on Carissa. Her parents' faces were engraved with shock, and she could feel the tension in the air.

After a fragment of eternity, her father spoke. “Nope you're not,”

“But dad, I am an adult, can't I make that deci—” she was interrupted again.

“Not another word from you, young lady,” he said.

Carissa met her father's gaze, her own eyes flashing with defiance. She set down her spoon and stood up from the table. "Yes, dad, I'm leaving. You can't stop me. I'm not going to sit here and let you all make fun of me. I'm going out there to make something of myself." With that, she flounced out of the room, leaving them in bewilderment.

Despite her family's objections, Carissa packed her bags and prepared for her departure. She knew that Susan had taken care of all the financial details, so there was nothing to worry about on that front. As for her parents, if they chose to disown her, she was prepared for that as well. She had never felt truly loved or accepted by them, so their rejection wasn't going to be a surprise.

All that mattered to her was making her own way in the world, and she was determined to do so.

On the day of her departure, as Carissa descended the stairs with her luggages in hand, she met her parents at the foot of the stairs, with a look of surprise and disappointment etched on their faces.

"We accept your decision, but only because you've left us with no other choice," her father said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't expect us to celebrate your departure, or to be there to cheer you on when you fail. We're not your biggest fans, and we don't think you'll find the success you're looking for in America."

Her mother and sister Penelope nodded, their eyes cold and hard. They were clearly not happy about her leaving, and made no attempt to hide their disapproval. Carissa felt like a stranger in her own home. An outcast was treated better than the way her family treated her.

"Fine," she said, her voice dull and emotionless. "I promise I won't bother you with my dreams anymore. You won't have to hear about them, ever again."

With that, she walked out, wondering if she'll ever come back.

******

Carissa and Ethan stepped out of the plane and into the dry New York breeze. Carissa took a deep breath, and exhaled, with her eyes closed “Finally, I’m out of that house. New York, here I come." She said, feeling exhilarated, finally she can get a fresh start in a brand new place. She picked up her luggages and followed as Ethan led the way.

“Someone is feeling it,” Ethan teased as they made their way out of the airport, rolling their boxes along as they headed towards the road. They were hoping to stop along a mall and shop for some things.

Ethan may have been born and raised in America. But at the age of 12, his parents separated, and his mother, Susan, remarried and moved with him to London. Despite being away for many years, Ethan still knew the city like the back of his hand. He still had strong ties to his friends and family there. It felt like coming home, even after a wild adventure.

“I'm that excited. But I'm anxious too.”

"You'll settle in. We'll get a job first.” Ethan assured her.

“I don't mind working anywhere, Ethan, as far as we can afford our needs.”

"Me either. Tomorrow, we'll start sending our CVs out to potential employers," Ethan said. "We need to put in our best, girl."

Carissa nodded, but her expression was a little worried. "What if we don't find anything? What if we're stuck here with no jobs and no money?”

"Don't think like that," Ethan replied, putting a hand on her shoulder. "We have to stay positive. We're going to find something great, I know that.”

“Alright.” Carissa answered, cheering up.

"Let's just forget about the worries of tomorrow for now. Shop, relax and have some fun tonight. We're going to party like it's 1999!" Ethan said, striking a dramatic pose and winking at Carissa. "We're going to have a blast, girl!" he added, adopting a flamboyant, feminine tone.

“No,I'm not coming with you. I don't like parties." She said, hooking an arm through his.

“Yes you will, baby girl.” Ethan said as he stopped abruptly, giving Carissa a soft pat on her cheeks. "Get yourself in the mood. At least, to celebrate your final freedom." Ethan said as they walked together down the road, heading to the closest Mall.