La Revenge

Chapter Two

Years passed by and Linda kept to her word. She officially became a member of the Adams. She is Oliver’s wife or as people call her, a rebound. To others, a rebound seems good especially in the society. She is adored by the society and portrayed as a good woman for taking sweet care of Hazel and her depressed father. She succeeded in diverting people’s attention from her daughter to her and her ‘love’ marriage. The people of England recognize Linda’s daughter as an Adam. Aurora Adams, as they call her, is seen as a kind, gentle, well-mannered girl and a better Adams than Hazel.

Hazel’s POV

“You are beautiful, delightful and polite as well. You are a lady I search for in the whole of England” I smiled at the kind words, more like praises chanted by Lord Charles. A faint blush must have appeared on my face. I feel hot!

“My! Th---thank you so much, my go-good sir” I appreciate, not many men praise me. I rarely go out and I can literally count the amount of balls I have gone to. Ma says that she doesn’t want me going out. She fears that I might not be heartbroken or go rouge. Aurora tells me that men are so bad, with bad intention. She says I must distance myself from them. I mustn’t share a conversation with a man, only if he is brought home by ma. I comply with the rule, besides I hate talking to strangers. I feel uncomfortable and I often shutter. I also fear they might laugh at me.

“Are you still here, miss Adams?” At his words, I rebuke myself for being inconsiderate and dare to space out. “Please---for-give me” I quickly apologize. If Ma heard that I dare space out, I will be punished and locked up in my room. I deserve it. I am so stupid and pathetic.

“It is okay. I will take my leave” He stood up. I gazed up for the first time during this conversation. I silently puzzled if I should chase him or let him go. I completely understood why he wants to leave. The conversation is not thriving. It is lame. I sighed and decided to go to the garden. Mama always love the garden, she spends her time here. I miss her so much but Ma says she is in a good place that she deserves to be in. Apparently, the good place doesn’t include me. Again, I sigh.

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“How could you! First, you bore Lord Charles with the conversation. Then you fail to chase him when he walks out. Don’t you know how precious a man’s time is? You blatantly decided to waste that. Do you know what I went through to bring Lord Charles to his house? You ungrateful nonsensical piece of rubbish! Utter rubbish!” Ma yells out the words. I calmly listen. I know I am at fault. If only, I am a good girl and fully memorize the book “How to talk to a man”, “The Man, the Ruler” and also “Themes of discussion with a man”.

“Ma, forgive me. I am deeply sorry. I know I am at fault. I have no excuses.” I pleaded.

“If only you weren’t also spacing out in the conversation, I could simply tell Lord Charles that you are shy and meek. The poor man thought you were disinterested in him. How foolish are you. You ruined an opportunity to make an in-law out of the Carson. You must pay for this. You ruined my mood and intention with your silly and i***t self.” Ma concludes. I know that she means no bad. All the insults that she worded out are just because she is angry, frustrated and disappointed. Lord Charles isn’t the only one failure.

“Mother please calm down. I hate to see you like this. Don’t worry I will handle it from here” Aurora enters the conversation. Ma smiles at Aurora’s soothing voice. She embraces her.

“Aurora, my cherry! I am fine. I simply have to teach your sister a lesson so she doesn’t make a mistake next time. I am for her benefit and wellbeing. How will she have a good life, if she doesn’t know how to talk to a man? How will she get married? How will I have an in-law?” Ma explains. I listen as I pity her.

“A woman is only good for marriage. A girl is recognized in the society by having father and a woman is recognized in the society by having a husband. Hazel is a woman and she need a husband to be recognized. I fear people will blame me for not marrying her off and call me a bad step-mother. If only, they knew that it is not my fault but hers.” Ma complains

“I really am a bad child and Aurora is a good child, a blessed child” I repeated the words of Ma. I say it whenever she is angry and instantly I get no punishment.

“I am glad that you understand. You are nothing like Aurora who is a divine child. You are a bad child and I am constantly worried about you and your future. You are stressing me out. Learn from aurora, will you?” I am sincerely grateful for Ma’s concern. I know all she does, is for my own benefit. I will continue trying to be a good girl, so she doesn’t have to worry anymore.

“Get away from my sight” Ma said with disgust in her eyes. I know that disgust is not for me but my bad behavior. I know she loves me, right?

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“Mother, your daughter is here”

Silence

“Mother, how have you been?”

Silence

“Mother…..” I sighed. I know the dead can’t talk, yet I confide everything in my Mother.

“Today, I messed up again. Lord West came and I flunked. Ma is angry. She is making sure I am having no food so I don’t flunk again. She is so caring. I wish you were here so you could help me. Aurora gave me a book “Intimacy with Man” and tips so I don’t flunk. I learnt all the conversations written in the book and also practiced the tips but it seems the Lord doesn’t like the tips. Heck, I don’t even understand.”

“I miss you and I wish you are happy—even if it is without me.” I smiled sadly and kissed the gravestone.

I went inside and continue the rigorous lesson: memorizing and learning the ways to please and have a pleasant conservation with a man.