Casse

Ch.08

Karina went home feeling a bit calm, forgetting the fact that she was sad. Her chat with Christian in the park earlier had cheered her up a little.

"Karina," her father's voice seemed to interrupt her, stopping her from walking. "Why, Papa?" she asked, scared. David approached her with firm steps. The sound of his shoes echoed through the Walters residence. "Don't be sad anymore," David said, ruffling Karina's hair, leaving her stunned by her father's action.

It had been a long time since she had received a gentle gesture from him. All she had ever known were slaps and scoldings. Karina couldn't even remember the last time her father treated her well. "Yes, Dad." After that, she went to her room, feeling awkward with her father. "Crazy . . . he seems like a different person," Karina thought, clutching her chest as it pounded, forgetting that her heart was racing because of her father. She opened her phone and saw many messages expressing condolences and sympathy. At that moment, she was grateful that there were still many people who cared about her.

Tonight's dinner was quite enjoyable because Zara joined in eating at the Walters' house. Actually, it was Karina who invited her, because she didn't want to be alone in front of the harmonious family.

"What does Karina want to eat? Let me get it for you," Maria kindly said to her, because she didn't want to seem mean in front of Zara. After all, Zara was a stranger. 'So flattering,' of course, Karina said in her head. She didn't want to get slapped by her father again.

"No need. I can take it myself," Karina forced her smile. She didn't want to smile at the woman who had ruined her family. "Mommy took the crispy squid, huh?" Maria would have almost put the squid on Karina's plate if Zara hadn't been silent. "I'm sorry, Karina is allergic to seafood." Zara's words struck a chord with David. He never knew that Karina was allergic to seafood. He also didn't know what foods Karina liked or disliked.

"Are you Karina's friend at campus?" David's voice shifted the conversation. "Yes, since junior high," again, David didn't know that Zara and Karina had been friends for a long time. "So you're friends with Jenna too, right?" Maria responded to Zara's answer. "Not really. I'm just close to Karina." "Why? You don't want to be friends with Jenna or what?" Maria's voice was slightly annoyed this time. Why only be friends with Karina?

"Sorry about that. I’m really only close to Karina. With Jenna, we just know each other. Besides, Jenna has never really left the classroom. Even during breaks, she just eats her own lunch. Karina is always with me, and when I invited Jenna, she said she just wanted to eat her lunch."

Karina wanted to laugh hearing Zara’s words. Indirectly, she was saying that Jenna was mama’s child. "I’m done," a sudden voice from Jenna diverted her attention. "Why, dear? Finish your food first." "I’m not hungry anymore," Jenna replied, glancing at Zara, who was nonchalantly eating her meal. Karina realized that Jenna was offended by what Zara said. After all, Zara was known for her sharp tongue. Karina just wanted to laugh even more seeing Jenna’s sensitive reaction to Zara’s words.

I don't know why Jenna, this time, really hated Karina, proven by her sharp glare when Karina visited her room. "Your mom called you," "She's your mom too, Karina," Karina shrugged indifferently. "My mom has already passed away." "Mommy who took care of you since you were little isn't your mom!" "Really? Guess what. Who came to my family when I was happy? Guess. Who made my parents get divorced? Guess. Who caused my mom's accident? Who also made my mom give up her support tool? Right. Your mom! Who else? Being taken care of by your mom wasn't as good as being taken care of by my mom! Your mom actually made me hate my own family!"

Karina saying all that right into Jenna's ear made her even angrier. Her mom wasn't that cruel to take away Karina's mother's hearing aid. "It wasn't mom who made your mom take off her hearing aid!" Jenna could still keep her patience this time. "Really? By the way, yesterday I went to the hospital and Dr. Erry said, 'Mrs. Walters came to the hospital and said Karina was about to take off her mom's hearing aid. Damn it!'"

"MY MOM IS NOT LIKE THAT!" "Let's make this clear. I was the first one to go to the hospital, right? Then the next day your mom came to the hospital saying Karina wants to remove your mom's support device. Just think about it, if I really wanted to remove mom's support device, I would have already told Dr. Erry when I visited your mom yesterday."

"I really hate you, Karina." "I know and I don't care. Why? Because you're weak and can't do anything without me. You can only complain to your parents without taking any action." Karina looked relaxed as she left him full of emotion. True. Jenna can't do anything without her, and she admitted it. "I'll show you the power of a weak person, Karina."

~to be continued~