Who’s Ophelia?

Chapter #5 : A disappointment

It had been days since the scene in my bedroom. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long, heavy shadows from the clouds across the living room floor. The air was thick with the scent of seasonings and spices; it smelled as though Grandma had emptied an entire jar of garlic powder into whatever was simmering in the kitchen.

A sudden knock at the door jolted me back to reality. I had been zoning out, the television humming aimlessly in the background. I pushed myself up from the couch and made my way to the entrance.

When I swung the door open, my knees nearly gave out. Blood rushed through my veins, and my heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. It was her. My mother. The voice that had haunted me over the phone in Illinois was now standing less than a foot away. I couldn't just hang up this time; I was trapped right in front of her.

She looked me up and down, her face twisting with immediate disapproval at my dark hair and my clothes. I didn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction; I simply met her gaze with a deadpan expression.

"Hello, Mother," I said, forcing a hollow, plastic smile onto my face.

She barged past me without an invitation, her judgmental gaze never leaving me as she scanned the room.

"What on earth did you do to yourself? I take my eyes off you for... what has it been? Ten or eleven years?" she asked, her voice dripping with spite. She didn't wait for an answer before looking away with a dismissive huff.

If it weren't for my love for Grandma, I swear I would have ended this woman right where she stood.

"Ten years. It's been ten years," I corrected, my jaw tight.

She reached out suddenly, gripping my chin with her fingers and forcing my head up so I had no choice but to look at her.

"Ophelia, you may look like a woman, but you will always be a little girl to me. Don't you dare disrespect me. Ever. Understand?" Her tone was as cold as a winter grave.

I didn't flinch. I reached up and shoved her hand away with a sneer. "You ever touch me again, and I'll break your fingers. That's a promise." I stepped back, putting several feet of distance between us.

Grandma came running from the kitchen, her face lighting up as she wrapped my mother in a tight hug. It was a strange sight; Grandma loved all her children, even the ones who were truly wicked.

"I'm so glad to see you, my child!" Grandma exclaimed, pulling back to look at both of us. "Have you and Ophelia caught up yet?"

"Mom, you know how she is," my mother complained, turning her venom back toward me. "Ophelia was a stubborn child, and clearly, she hasn't changed. Just look at her. She looks like a spawn of Satan with that dark hair and those... clothes."

Despite the insults, Grandma still looked at me as if I were an angel.

"Where is that boyfriend of yours, Mother?" I asked, my voice flat as I looked toward the door.

"He's getting the bags out of the car. We're staying for the weekend; my house flooded after a pipe burst," she said, offering a smug smile.

My stomach dropped. My fists clenched until my knuckles turned white. "Oh, hell."

"Ophelia, language please," Grandma warned, though her eyes remained soft.

Just then, Lyssa came running down the hall, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She jumped into my arms, and I caught her, instinctively cradling the back of her head so she wouldn't jolt.

"Hey, pretty girl. You woke up from your nap already?" I whispered. My gaze flickered to my mother, who looked absolutely stunned at the sight of the child.

"Yes, I slept good," Lyssa yawned, rubbing her cheek with a tiny fist.

"You had a kid? Another disappointment brought into this world," my mother spat, crossing her arms over her chest.

"She's my friend's daughter. My niece," I snapped, shifting Lyssa's weight to keep her steady and shielding her slightly with my shoulder.

The front door creaked open again. First came the designer luggage, then the man attached to them. He had a slim, muscular build and dark, wavy hair that was messy—the same way he'd worn it since I was a child. He had light skin and light grey eyes that seemed to leer even when he was smiling.

"Mrs. Duval, a pleasure to see you again," he said. His voice was deep and husky as he smiled at Grandma. I felt a wave of nausea, but I kept my face as still as stone.

"Dang, Ophelia is back? I didn't know that," he chuckled. He walked toward me, dropping the bags and opening his arms for a hug.

I stared at him, my expression blank. I set Lyssa down gently, making sure she stayed behind me, before giving him a hollow, three-second hug and pulling away immediately.

"You're a woman now. A very beautiful one," he said, reaching out to touch my hair.

I felt my skin crawl. My mother was standing right there, and he was openly leering at me. It was disgusting.

"I'd normally say thank you for a compliment, but ones from you just make me want to wash my ears out," I said, my voice cold. I reached down, grabbed Lyssa's hand, and began leading her toward the kitchen.

"What's her problem? She doesn't like me or something?" he asked, glancing between my mother and grandmother with a fake, wounded look.

"Daniel, you know Ophelia is a stubborn girl," my mother sighed, reaching out to rub his arm affectionately. "I can't believe she actually came from me."

"Doesn't mean she should be so hostile toward me, Camille," Daniel muttered, his tone shifting to one of sharp annoyance.

"I know and I will speak to her about such manner,"my mother shook her head and made her way to the kitchen.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Lyssa was on the counter eating a bowl of chocolate ice cream and I was on a stool right infront of her making sure she didn't fall off of the counter. My grandma would walking in stirring the pot, of only God knows what.

"Missy, I'm disappointed in you, I don't know what problem you and your mother have going on. But have some respect for the woman that carried you in her womb for nine months," Grandma said keeping her back turned so I would be facing her back while she tasted the sauce from whatever she was cooking in a wooden spoon.

I didn't answer back, I had nothing to say so I just shook my head and looked at Lyssa placing the bowl next to her on the counter. I assisted Lyssa while she tried to come off of the counter and then she ran to her room. Shortly, after she left my mother walked in.

She stormed up to me and slapped me "Show some respect, don't you ever disrespect him again," My mother said her tone full of disgust and anger.

I slid a hand down my face where she slapped me, in this moment all I felt was anger and rage it was taking all of my self control not to end this woman right here, she hit me again. All the memories came crashing down, all the trauma I tried to put away and forget came crashing down. Thats when I felt it a tear rolled down my cheek, I didn't speak back I didn't punch her it was like my body was frozen and hurt.

I would look at her, she had that smug look on her face her arms crossed like she just won a battle or a war. I would wipe my cheek, "Your gonna regret that later," I muttered in a cold, snarky tone. I chuckled softly and lightly and walked out of the kitchen, down the hall to my room.

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A couple of hours later..... Around 7 pm

Elena and me are in the bathroom preparing for the huge dinner party my grandmother is having for Christmas. Elena applies her lipstick while Im curling my hair in a bouncy layered curls style.

Elena clears her throat,

"Lelly I know your mom boyfriend is the villain but he is one fine man,"

Elena said while setting the lipstick on the counter and flicking her gaze to me. I chuckled and stared at Elena blankly,

"He looks like a drug dealer," I replied in my tone a hint of disgust.

Elena gaze stilled on me at my outfit and my looks.

Tonight, I decided to wear a gorgeous silk white dress that stops at my thighs , the dress has diamonds lining the straps of the dress. I picked white teacup bow pump heels to go with the dress and a white coach handbag.

"Did you lose your speech, are you mute?,"

I said chuckling and hitting Elena's arm. Elena would blink

"You look good, I'm not wondering if I'm undressed,"

Elena replied, glancing down at her outfit Elena is wearing a pink tube dress, with gorgeous pink strapped heels to go with them, her dress is decorated with a stylish white belt and her hair is in a ponytail her curls shining, because she put glitter through her hair. On the side of her eye there are diamonds lining giving the eyeliner effect on both eyes.

I rolled my eyes in a playful way,

"Your not undressed, your good,"

I said walking out of the bathroom into my room. Elena walked out of the bathroom opening my bedroom to go out to the hall,

"You coming?,"

Elena said while tilting her head out of the door, I would walk out to the door and she closed it after me.

We walked out to the grand dining room where a chandelier was placed in the center of the ceiling it was a 5ft, crystal chandelier almost similar to one I have at home it just was smaller.

I sat down at the table next to Alyssa, who looked as bored as a snail she had her chin placed on a plate while her hands was spread in front of her.

I chuckled at the sight, and then it easily vanished when I smelled a familiar scent and spotted blonde hair on the side of me taking a seat.

"Thèodore, what do you want,"

I didn't had to turn my face to know it was him. That expensive sandalwood scent instantly filled up my nostrils and thats when I knew it was Thèodore Montclair. He slid his hand under the table to my thigh.

"A hello would have been nice." He said his tone as cocky as he is.

I moved his hand, and stared at him and thats when I was met with those dark blue eyes that somehow captivate me.

Then a sudden hit of glass brought my attention to across the table to my Grandma who was now standing.

My grandma would clear her throat my grandpa would stand beside her, his hair is a whiter color than how it was when I was a kid he has light brown eyes and a happy smile on his face as he wraps his hand around grandma.

"Tonight, we gather here to celebrate the blessings of this year I am glad to be alive and to be able to celebrate with my family, friends and colleagues. Tonight, my granddaughter is here which marks the first annual dinner she has ever attended and I am most joyful Ophelia is back in our presence."

Grandma said her tone happy and joyful, when she mentioned me, everyone looked at me with curiosity, some were giving me joyful looks. All I did was smile as they looked and then I took a glance at my mother who had a disgust look on her face and that made my smile bigger.

As their attentions went back on grandma I stared at my mother who was staring at me.

I sticked my middle finger at her and rolled my eyes smirking and looking back at grandma.

From a side glance at my eyes my mother face changed, it looked like she had seen a ghost I know she was going to probably not stop with the disrespectful talk later but I couldn't care I did what I wanted to do since I saw that woman today and I'm really proud of myself and all that I did to not let them effect my life.

Grandma raised her glass and everyone raised theirs,

"cheers" Grandma said with a joyful smile on her face

. Grandma sat after she gave her speech and remarks and Grandpa sat down right after her. Their relationship is the only reason I believe love still exist in this world.

As their kitchen staff started to bring the food to the table, a girl with blonde bouncy curls and a familiar smile appeared in the doorway. I dropped my fork to the floor my eyes narrowed at the sight.

Hint: A human rainbow......